United Nations health officials say Nigeria is becoming one of the countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, with nearly three million believed infected. Many think of the city of Enugu as the epicenter of the epidemic in the eastern part of the country.
Dr. Esther Ofoegbu, of the AIDS Committee of the Nigeria Teaching Hospital in Enugu, says a few years ago the HIV infection rate was around two percent. It is now over six percent.
The governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, says his administration is emphasizing prevention through mass campaigns in schools and has set up primary health care centers for early detection of infections.
But critics say it may not be enough. They say the growing number of unemployed youths, especially women, are turning to prostitution. They’re calling for more jobs programs. English to Africa reporter Chinedu Offor filed on the story from Enugu.