Gom Mirian
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, has revealed that out of the 1.9 million People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), only 1.6 million are receiving treatment.
This data reflects the significant progress made in combating the epidemic but also sheds light on the challenges that lie ahead.
Speaking on the theme, “Let Communities Lead,” at a conference in Abuja to commemorate World AIDS Day, the minister stressed the need for inclusive and community-driven efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
He stated: “Our communities and community structures are not merely recipients of care; they are champions of change, the catalysts for progress, and the backbone of our collective resilience.”
To further strengthen the existing framework for action, the minister unveiled several key policy documents aimed at reducing the spread of the diseases and efficiently managing their impact.
Among these documents are the National Guidelines for Viral Hepatitis Treatment and Care – 2023, which will provide healthcare professionals with essential tools and information to effectively treat individuals suffering from viral hepatitis.
Viral hepatitis poses a significant public health threat and is often closely intertwined with HIV/AIDS.
Additionally, Information, Education, and Communication materials for the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission demand creation and scale-up were introduced.
This initiative aims to raise awareness among pregnant women and healthcare providers about the prevention strategies available to safeguard against the transmission of HIV from mother to child.
By scaling up access to these materials, Nigeria hopes to drastically reduce the number of newborns acquiring the virus.
While giving an update on the state of HIV epidemics in Nigeria, the National Coordinator National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Dr Adebobola Bashorun, said there has been a steady decline in annual HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.
He, however, said that out of the 1.9 million PLHIV, 270,000 had not been identified, and as of 2022, an estimated 159,923 children aged zero to 14 years were living with HIV in Nigeria, making it one of the countries with the highest paediatric HIV burden globally.
