The Lagos State Government has announced plans to commence an Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Impact Survey targeting more than eleven thousand residents across twenty council areas of the state.
Speaking at a news conference in Ikeja on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Segun Ogboye, said the exercise would begin in October and run until December. He explained that six thousand, one hundred and fifty households and two hundred and five enumeration areas had been mapped out, with participants aged between 15 and 64 years expected to take part.
According to Dr. Ogboye, the objective of the survey is to strengthen evidence-based planning for HIV response in Lagos. He assured residents of strict confidentiality and urged them to cooperate with field officers when approached.
“The government is committed to using this survey to improve interventions. Residents are encouraged to participate with the assurance that their privacy will be protected,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director of Disease Control, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, underscored the importance of community trust and participation. She cautioned against stigmatization, stressing that people living with HIV deserve dignity, respect, and universal access to healthcare.
The survey, according to officials, is being conducted in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, as well as international partners including the APIN-PHIS3 Project, PEPFAR, US CDC, NACA, and other stakeholders.