by Isi Esene

The Lagos government on Tuesday disclosed that 9,660 people living in the state tested positive to HIV in the last one year.

The commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the activities of his ministry to commemorate the sixth year of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration.

He said his ministry is making efforts at reducing the spread of the deadly disease by distributing 520,000 male and female condoms across the state.

The commissioner also said the state government has established HIV/AIDS counselling and testing centres in health facilities across the state, a measure to check the prevalence of the scourge within the state.

He reportedly explained that “these centres provide clients with all they need on HIV/AIDS, counselling, treatment and others. It is another of our strategy, among so many to check the problem.”

Idris also disclosed that 4311 healthcare facilities across the state will be closed down for running foul of the law.