Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Sani Aliyu said the agency will conduct the largest national AIDS survey in June.

Aliyu announced this at a news conference on “Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey’’ on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the survey would be in collaboration with the United States Government, Global Funds, UNAIDS, Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organisation (WHO), among others.

He noted that the survey which would last for six months, would be conducted across the 36 states and the FCT.

According to him,the survey will determine the true distribution of HIV and Hepatitis B and C in the country.

He added that only individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate would be interviewed, with their blood sample tested under confidential environment.

Aliyu added that results from the survey would provide key information that would guide the government in planning and developing effective programmes to control HIV and Hepatitis in the country.

Speaking at the conference, Prof Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, noted that the survey would provide precise data on the prevalence of HIV in the country.

Adewole, represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Mr Araoye Segilola, added that the results would aid the ministry to know the current rate of new infections.

He said that the exercise would help in the distribution of adequate HIV/AIDS kits and antiretroviral drugs.

He also appreciated the United States Government, Global Funds, UNAIDS, WHO, CDC, and other partners for supporting the implementation of the largest HIV survey in the world.

Also, Mr Mahesh Swaminathan, Country Director, Centtre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that a sample size of 170,000 Nigerians would be selected for the survey.

He added that the samples for the survey would be selected randomly and those tested positive would be placed on life-saving treatment.

Swaminathan added that the results from the survey would help the U.S government and other partners to provide adequate resources to end the epidemic before 2030.