As the world observes this year’s World AIDS Day, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has intensified its call for collective action to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, with a special focus on ending the epidemic among children.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, NACA’s Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, emphasised the urgency of this year’s theme: “Take the Rights Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children to End AIDS in Nigeria by 2030.”
Dr. Ilori described the theme as a rallying cry for Nigerians to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly among vulnerable populations. “It is high time we prioritised sustainable HIV response and ensured that no child is born HIV-positive in Nigeria,” she said.
To this end, NACA has taken bold steps, including the establishment of a national-level acceleration committee for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric care. This initiative aims to improve service delivery and ensure the elimination of HIV transmission from mothers to children across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Dr. Ilori also highlighted NACA’s efforts to sustain HIV response programmes despite challenges such as dwindling donor funding and persistent stigma. She announced the development of a sustainability roadmap designed to localise HIV program implementation and secure Nigeria’s health system against potential donor withdrawal.
“Our vision is to ensure that government-mandated structures are at the forefront of programme implementation, guaranteeing health security for Nigerians in the face of any funding challenges,” Dr. Ilori affirmed.
World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 annually, to create awareness about HIV and AIDS.
However, Dr. Ilori decried HIV prevalence among children in the country, stating that the prevention of Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and paediatric HIV coverage in the country remain low.
Quoting the UNAIDS 2023 report, Dr. Ilori said that about 160,000 children aged 0-14 were living with HIV in the country.
On HIV prevalence, the DG said that 1.4 people, aged 15-64 years with an estimated two million people were living with HIV in the country.
She also said that the country records 22,000 new HIV infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths every year.
Nigeria has HIV prevalence of 1.4 percent among general population, 15-64 years with an estimated 2 million people living with HIV.
The country continues to face a significant challenge in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The UNAIDS 2023 report shows that approximately 160,000 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring each year,” she explained.
Meanwhile, the national coordinator, association of persons living with HIV, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said the network has received $11million grant from Global Fund, adding that the grant was for three years programme, focusing on PMTCT, community-led monitoring.
A significant challenge remains the stigma surrounding HIV, which prevents many from seeking testing and treatment. Dr. Ilori urged Nigerians to embrace equity and compassion. “Ending AIDS is not just a target—it is a testament to our resolve, compassion, and unity as a nation,” she said.
As NACA and its partners strive toward the ambitious goal of ending AIDS in Nigeria by 2030, the 2024 World AIDS Day serves as a reminder that the fight is far from over.
The agency called on every Nigerian to join hands, take the right path, and work towards a future free of HIV/AIDS.
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