The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society have debunked a report indicating that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is as high as 60.4% incidence rate following a purported randomized testing.
A Twitter user, First Doctor, @FirstDOctor, had posted that the Red Cross reportedly ran HIV tests for 197 people in Abuja and that 119 of them turned out positive, with 60% of the positive test, male.
The tweet with this link reads:
“So last week, the Red Cross reportedly ran HIV tests for 197 people in Abuja, Nigeria. 119 of them were positive and 60% of the positive tests were male. If you can’t control yourself, use condoms. Just stop playing games with your life.”
When contacted for confirmation, NACA reached out to the Red Cross and asked it to confirm or debunk the report.
Taking to its Twitter handle, @NACANigeria, NACA tweeted to Red Cross:
“@nrcs_ng, this information is passing round. Can you confirm when and where this outreach occurred with 60% prevalent rate?”
@nrcs_ng This information is passing round. Can you confirm when and where this outreach occurred with 60% prevalent rate? https://t.co/Q2IguIBGi0
— NACA Nigeria (@NACANigeria) July 29, 2023
After due verification, the Red Cross Society reported that no such activity was ever conducted.
It tweeted back to NACA:
“@NACA, thanks for bringing this to our notice. We have contacted our Abuja FCT branch and confirmed that such activity was never conducted. It’s unethical for any organization to disclose the status of their clients/patients.
@NACA, thanks for bringing this to our notice. We have contacted our Abuja FCT branch and confirmed that such activity was never conducted. It's unethical for any organization to disclose the status of their clients/patients…. https://t.co/J4aYQUAhbf
— Nigerian Red Cross Society HQ (@nrcs_ng) July 30, 2023
“The Nigerian Red Cross Society remains committed to providing quality and free humanitarian services to affected population wherever they may be found based on our humanitarian mandate and 7 fundamental principles. But, in this case, this story is false. Thank you all.”
Following the confirmation by Red Cross, NACA, in a “statement on high HIV prevalence rates in Abuja”, declared that the statement is entirely false.
The statement reads:
“There was no outreach conducted in Abuja, and the claim that 119 people tested positive out of 197 is false. The accurate data shows that Abuja’s HIV prevalence rate remains at 1.3%, while Nigeria has a prevalence rate of 3%.
“Additionally, it is essential to clarify that no outreach anywhere in Nigeria could yield a positive rate of 60%. Such a high prevalence rate is not possible in Nigeria or any other country.
“The false statement has been forwarded to the appropriate authorities that deals with misinformation for appropriate actions.
“As the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, we are dedicated to promoting safe sexual practices, including advocating for abstinence and the correct use of condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“However, we strongly condemn the use of false statistics to drive this critical message. It is essential to disseminate accurate information to effectively combat HIV/AIDS and promote public health.”
NACA, therefore, urged all Nigerians to be faithful to their partners and consistently practice safe sex to protect themselves and others from HIV and other infections.
“Remember, health is wealth, and each of us must take responsibility for our well-being.
“If anyone requires further information about HIV prevention, testing, or treatment, we encourage them to reach out to our toll-free helpline at 6222. The helpline operates on Airtel, MTN, and 9mobile networks from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
“Let us work together to create a healthier and more informed society, free from the burden of HIV/AIDS and misinformation,” it added.
NACA further noted that the national HIV prevalence is 1.3% not 3% and that the claim that 119 people tested positive out of 197 is false.
NACA, it could be recalled, coordinates the response to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
When News Band revisited the controversial post, the tweep has deleted the post. All that was seen at the spot was:
“This Tweet was deleted by the Tweet author.”
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