The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has revealed that approximately 1.6 million People Living With HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria are currently receiving treatment.
Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director-General of NACA, made this announcement at a press conference held ahead of World AIDS Day 2024.
She highlighted the agency’s commitment to ending AIDS in Nigeria by 2030, with a particular focus on preventing HIV transmission to children.
Despite significant progress, Dr. Ilori acknowledged that the country still faces challenges in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.
The current coverage of 33% falls short of the 95% target. To address this issue, NACA plans to intensify efforts to scale up PMTCT services, promote universal access to antenatal care, and expand health insurance coverage to include comprehensive HIV care.
The agency is also working on a sustainability roadmap to ensure the long-term success of HIV programs in Nigeria.
This roadmap aims to strengthen government-led structures and promote ownership of the HIV response at the state level.
Experts from the Institute of Virology Nigeria and UNAIDS emphasized the need for sustained investment, innovative approaches, and political commitment to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
They highlighted the alarming number of children living with HIV and the urgent need to prevent new infections and reduce AIDS-related deaths.
