by Isi Esene

The Enugu State Action Committee on HIV/AIDS (ENSACA) over the weekend revealed that more than 92,000 persons in Enugu are officially living with the Human Immune-Deficiency Virus (HIV).

The ENSACA Private Sector Officer, Patricia Ugwu, gave this figure at a seminar to sensitize members of the Allied Business Community in Nsukka on the dangers of having multiple sexual partners. She advised the participants to be faithful to their sex partners to avoid contracting the virus.

According to reports, she said, “Remember HIV does not show in one’s face; about 92,000 people are already infected in Enugu State. If you cannot stick to one partner, ensure that you use condom when having sexual intercourse with another person.

“If you are already positive, do not kill yourself as government has procured enough drugs to designated hospitals to carter for those living with the virus.

“Through medical attention and counseling, infected mothers will be able to deliver babies that are negative. Do not stigmatize anybody living with the virus as that is an offence punishable by law,” she said.

Mr. Augustine Okeagu, the chairman of Nsukka Allied Business Community thanked the ENSACA team for organising the seminar to sensitize it members.

He said, “I assure the government that allied members will continue to be law-abiding. We also urge other agencies of government to replicate what ENSACA has done for us.”

The seminar ended with the ENSACA team conducting a free HIV test to interested members of the business community.