By Justina Auta
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle-Salako has called on states and stakeholders to increase efforts in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) among children.
Adekunle-Salako made this appeal at the 2024 World AIDS Day celebration in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasising the need to sustain the HIV response and end AIDS in Nigeria by 2030.
He noted that Nigeria had made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with a current prevalence rate of 1.4 per cent in the general population and an estimated 2 million people living with HIV.
Adekunle-Salako added that the country had expanded access to testing and treatment, comprehensive prevention programmes, and reduced stigma and discrimination.
“I am pleased to announce that we have taken a step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS by ensuring HIV is fully integrated into the sector-wide approach (SWAp).
“This will help ensure that all resources are aligned with our national health priorities, and we can continue to lead the HIV response with full government ownership and accountability.
“I call on state governments, the private sector, and community leaders to ‘take the right path’ by scaling up interventions aimed at preventing HIV transmission among children.
“Our strategy must be holistic—addressing the social, cultural, and economic barriers that hinder access to healthcare services for women and children,” he said.
UNAIDS Country Representative, Dr Leo Zekeng noted that Nigeria had achieved notable progress in treatment access, with 1.6 million out of 2 million people living with HIV currently on treatment.
Zekeng, however, said that challenges such as stigma, discrimination, and access to prevention and treatment services remained.
He also urged state governments, the private sector, and community leaders to scale up interventions aimed at preventing HIV transmission among children.
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori emphasised the significance of World AIDS Day (WAD).
She remained Nigerians of the ongoing fight against HIV and the need for sustained action, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations such as children.
“This year, we are placing special emphasis on stopping AIDS among children and raising consciousness on sustainability and ownership of the HIV response,” she stated.
Ilori urged collective efforts to scale up prevention services, expand antenatal care, and address social barriers.
“We must eliminate mother-to-child transmission by ensuring timely and quality care for women and children.”
Highlighting progress, Ilori noted key milestones, including the inauguration of the PMTCT and Paediatric Acceleration Committee, initiation of local production of HIV-related commodities, and strengthening of data management.
“Publishing Nigeria’s HIV data through UNAIDS for the first time in three years reinforces the country’s commitment to transparency and evidence-based interventions.”
In spite of acknowledging challenges such as dwindling donor funding and HIV-related stigma, Ilori called for renewed partnerships and inclusive policies to end AIDS in Nigeria.
The National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP), Dr Adebobola Bashorun presented the Strategic National HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs documents, highlighting progress made in ending AIDS.
Other event highlights included the unveiling of Funke Akindele, a popular Nigerian actress, as the UNAIDS goodwill ambassador and advocate for HIV in Nigeria.
