Over 154,000 HIV/AIDS patients identified, placed on treatment in Enugu — Caritas Nigeria
Caritas Nigeria, a non-governmental organization, has announced that more than 154,000 people living with HIV/AIDS across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State have been identified and placed on treatment.
The disclosure was made in Enugu during a march across major streets to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the organization.
The State Team Lead of Caritas Nigeria, Dr. Fabian Bassey, who addressed journalists after the awareness march, stressed the importance of patients adhering strictly to their medications in order to live healthier and more productive lives.
According to him, Caritas Nigeria has recorded significant milestones in its 15 years of existence, particularly in HIV response. He noted that the number of patients on treatment in Enugu State has grown from 17,000 to over 54,000 in just six years.
“Today is very special for us as we celebrate 15 years of Caritas Nigeria. We are marking this milestone with a walk around the city to raise awareness about our work. In Enugu alone, we have identified 154,000 patients and placed them on HIV treatment. Beyond health, we have also intervened in emergency response in the North East, and in agriculture and livelihood programs in the South West, touching and improving countless lives,” he said.
Dr. Bassey acknowledged resource constraints as one of the major challenges facing the organization but expressed optimism that local contributions and continued international support would sustain their programs. He praised the resilience of Caritas staff and supporters, noting that they braved the rain during the anniversary march to demonstrate commitment to health awareness and the fight against HIV/AIDS stigma.
“Most of our support currently comes from overseas, especially the United States government. But now, we are encouraging local support to strengthen our institution so we can continue to expand our reach, not just in Nigeria but across Africa. We have ideas on how to do more, but funding remains a major challenge. If we can secure additional resources, more people will be empowered,” he added.
He further emphasized that patient education remains central to their HIV program, especially in addressing stigma and ensuring medication adherence.
“For every program, awareness is key. In our HIV/AIDS program, we work hard to educate people about stigma while encouraging patients to take their drugs seriously so they can live their lives to the fullest,” Dr. Bassey said.
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