HIV: Nigeria Pledges Renewed Efforts Towards Global Targets

As 2024 draws to a close, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, through the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), has expressed its commitment to achieving the ambitious global 95:95:95 targets.

This initiative aims for 95 per cent of people living with HIV to know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95 per cent of those on ART to achieve viral suppression.

NASCP, in its quarterly news nugget, stated that a significant step forward this year was the inauguration of the Antiretroviral Therapy Impact Survey (AIS) steering and technical committees.

These committees, launched in the third quarter, were tasked with overseeing the ART Impact Survey, which seeks to evaluate the effects of ART on HIV-related outcomes across Nigeria.

The committees will offer strategic guidance and technical oversight to ensure the successful execution of this critical survey.

The national coordinator of NASCP, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, said that efforts to strengthen data management systems were also highlighted, with data managers across the country receiving training on the National Data Reporting System (NDARS).

The training is aimed at enhancing the quality of data entry, reporting, analysis, visualisation, and triangulation to support more informed decision-making in the health sector.

He said NASCP also marked several advocacy achievements, adding that the programme conducted visits to commissioners of health in Imo, Oyo, and Rivers states, as well as the permanent secretary of health services in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

These visits, according to him, focused on sharing details about the implementation of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GF GC7) REACH project. NASCP sought the cooperation of state health authorities to ensure the smooth rollout of this initiative, emphasising the need for state-level support and capacity-building for State AIDS and STIs Control Programmes (SASCP).

In another key milestone, Dr. Bashorun said NASCP carried out site readiness assessments at 15 PEPFAR-supported facilities in Lagos State. The purpose was to evaluate the preparedness of service providers for administering CAB-PrEP injectables, a new option for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) aimed at preventing HIV transmission.

Dr. Bashorun stressed the programme’s commitment to standardising health sector responses for HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

He emphasised NASCP’s commitment to playing a crucial role in enhancing Nigeria’s efforts to combat HIV and ensure quality healthcare for all.