Ogun state government has declared that the statistical data on the prevalence of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in the state has remain stable unlike in the previous years,‎ calling on all stakeholders in the state to intensify more awareness campaign against the menace of the disease.

The commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka who made the declaration in Abeokuta during a media chat to flag off this year World AIDS day stated that the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease has diverted the attention of most Nigerians from the menace of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

‎The recent statistical data on the prevalence of the dreadful Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome revealed that in sub-Saharan Africa is about 71 per cent of the global total while 45 per cent of people living with the disease know their status.

Also, less than 25 per cent of Adults with HIV had access to antiretroviral theraapy‎.

In Ogun state, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka has declared that the prevalence of the disease has remained stable with the available data show a prevalence of 8.5 per cent stressing that, it is not better nor getting worse.

Soyinka maintained that statistically speaking the prevalence of the disease is hovering around the same level saying it is not getting better nor getting worse saying the state government is committing more resources to enlightenment and public awareness‎ on the prevalence of the disease.

The Commissioner for Health disclosed that legal framework is being instituted to curtail the increasing stigmatisation of ‎people living with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome across the state adding that ‎a bill to this effect is awaiting the accent of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

He added that the state government was ready to bridge the gap and ensure that there was no more stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

Soyinka however, urged Nigerians, especially indigenes of the state, to relate freely with people living with the virus adding that, people should see HIV/AIDS as something minimal because people have been living with it for years without negative effect if properly taken cared of, unlike Ebola that can wipe out the whole community within a shorter period.

Not only this, Soyinka cautioned health workers in the state to refrain from collaborating with other members of the public in stigmatising people living with the disease but should rather see them as other human being that must be cared for.

He also identified some of the things the government has been doing to end discrimination, such as human rights legislation, increase funding for ARV treatments, creating awareness and enlist partner and family support for people living with the virus.‎

The Commissioner also noted that Ogun State has the second highest prevalence after Lagos and urged health workers to be leaders in creating awareness and sensitizing people against stigmatisation and not leaders in discrimination against HIV/AID.

The theme for the 2014 WORLD HIV/AIDS day is close the gap no more stigma and discrimination.