Because the world observes this 12 months’s World AIDS Day, the Nationwide Company for the Management of AIDS (NACA) has intensified its name for collective motion to fight HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, with a particular give attention to ending the epidemic amongst youngsters.
Talking at a press convention in Abuja, NACA’s Director-Common, Dr. Temitope Ilori, emphasised the urgency of this 12 months’s theme: “Take the Rights Path: Maintain HIV Response, Cease HIV Amongst Youngsters to Finish AIDS in Nigeria by 2030.”
Dr. Ilori described the theme as a rallying cry for Nigerians to unite within the combat towards HIV/AIDS, notably amongst susceptible populations. “It’s excessive time we prioritised sustainable HIV response and ensured that no little one is born HIV-positive in Nigeria,” she stated.
To this finish, NACA has taken daring steps, together with the institution of a national-level acceleration committee for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric care. This initiative goals to enhance service supply and make sure the elimination of HIV transmission from moms to youngsters throughout all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Dr. Ilori additionally highlighted NACA’s efforts to maintain HIV response programmes regardless of challenges reminiscent of dwindling donor funding and protracted stigma. She introduced the event of a sustainability roadmap designed to localise HIV program implementation and safe Nigeria’s well being system towards potential donor withdrawal.
“Our imaginative and prescient is to make sure that government-mandated constructions are on the forefront of programme implementation, guaranteeing well being safety for Nigerians within the face of any funding challenges,” Dr. Ilori affirmed.
World AIDS Day is noticed on December 1 yearly, to create consciousness about HIV and AIDS.Nevertheless, Dr. Ilori decried HIV prevalence amongst youngsters within the nation, stating that the prevention of Mom-to-Baby transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and paediatric HIV protection within the nation stay low.Quoting the UNAIDS 2023 report, Dr. Ilori stated that about 160,000 youngsters aged 0-14 have been residing with HIV within the nation.
On HIV prevalence, the DG stated that 1.4 individuals, aged 15-64 years with an estimated two million individuals have been residing with HIV within the nation.
She additionally stated that the nation data 22,000 new HIV infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths yearly.
Nigeria has HIV prevalence of 1.4 % amongst normal inhabitants, 15-64 years with an estimated 2 million individuals residing with HIV.
The nation continues to face a major problem in stopping mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The UNAIDS 2023 report reveals that roughly 160,000 youngsters aged 0-14 live with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring every year,” she defined.
In the meantime, the nationwide coordinator, affiliation of individuals residing with HIV, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, stated the community has acquired $11million grant from International Fund, including that the grant was for 3 years programme, specializing in PMTCT, community-led monitoring.
A major problem stays the stigma surrounding HIV, which prevents many from looking for testing and remedy. Dr. Ilori urged Nigerians to embrace fairness and compassion. “Ending AIDS is not only a goal—it’s a testomony to our resolve, compassion, and unity as a nation,” she stated.
As NACA and its companions try towards the formidable objective of ending AIDS in Nigeria by 2030, the 2024 World AIDS Day serves as a reminder that the combat is way from over.The company known as on each Nigerian to hitch fingers, take the correct path, and work in direction of a future freed from HIV/AIDS.
