Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
April 24, 2015 – Lagos State Government said it has counseled 10, 580 people who have contacted either the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Permanent Secretary, Office of Youth and Social Development, Dr. Adesegun Oshinyimika made the disclosure at a press briefing in Lagos.
He said that 4, 330 tuberculosis patients were also counselled in addition to 175 patients who were abandoned in various hospitals in Lagos.
He said a total of 18,340 patients were counseled because they were either drug addicts, prospective donors or bereaved families.
He said that 6, 470 people were also counseled either because of teenage pregnancy or for absconding while 2, 399 were counseled for antisocial behavours.
He said four others were counseled for sexual abuse while another four were warned for physical abuse adding that 1,116 people were counseled for gangsterism and drug abuse while 1, 754 were instructed for truancy.
He said the ministry assisted families in the settlement of several disputes. According to him, 1,018 matrimonial cases were settled, 37 paternal dispute, 712 maintenance cases while 299 cases had to do with legal custody.
He said 42 cases are related to negligence, 62 pre-marriage counselling adding that 156 cases related to child and sexual abuse are pending in courts. According to him, 94 child protection cases were registered while 50 cases related to child protection were closed. He added that 197 cases were also referred from Mirabel clinic.
Oshinyimika noted that 143 juvenile cases were registered, 25 transferred to other states, 16 committed to homes, 43 released on supervision, one repatriated to country of origin, while 169 cases were closed.
