Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), announced that as Nigeria approaches World AIDS Day 2024, approximately 1.6 million of the estimated 2 million Nigerians living with HIV are receiving treatment. With a HIV prevalence rate of 1.4% among individuals aged 15-64, Nigeria faces significant challenges, particularly with mother-to-child transmission. Dr. Ilori pointed out that the UNAIDS 2023 report indicates around 160,000 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths annually. Pediatric treatment coverage remains alarmingly low at less than 33%, highlighting the urgent need for focused intervention to secure a healthier future for Nigeria’s children.
In response to these challenges, NACA has initiated the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children, demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding future generations against this virus. Dr. Ilori acknowledged that despite a well-resourced plan in place, actual coverage continues to be inadequate. To bolster these efforts, the Nigerian Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has spearheaded advocacy initiatives, establishing state-level committees aimed at supporting the goal of ensuring that no child is born HIV-positive in Nigeria. This collaborative approach emphasizes a multi-faceted strategy involving community engagement at various levels to address the complexities of HIV prevention.
The conversation around sustainability in the HIV response emerged prominently during the press conference, with both Dr. Ilori and UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Leo Zekeng stressing the necessity of renewed political commitment and increased domestic funding from both government and private sectors. They articulated a vision for a sustainability roadmap designed not only to protect the progress made in the HIV response but also to ensure the ongoing health and social stability of the country, particularly in light of potential future donor withdrawal.
Dr. Patrick Dakum, CEO of the Institute of Virology Nigeria, emphasized the importance of collaborative strategies in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The integration of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) services, strengthening health systems, and addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to inequalities are central to efforts aimed at ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind. Meanwhile, Funmi Adesanya, the PEPFAR Nigeria Country Coordinator, reinforced the need for diversified prevention strategies and resilience within healthcare infrastructures, advocating for innovative approaches to control and manage the spread of HIV.
In the context of Ogun State, local health commissioner Dr. Tomi Coker highlighted that approximately 30,350 individuals, including 2% children, are currently receiving HIV treatment. Dr. Coker accentuated the pressing need to prevent mother-to-child transmission while ensuring adequate care access for children living with HIV. She cited this year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children,” emphasizing Ogun State’s alignment with national and global goals aimed at eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030. The state reported encouraging statistics towards achieving UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, with ongoing efforts to expand treatment facilities and early diagnosis capabilities.
Coker’s assessment underlined the pivotal role that socio-economic factors play in the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She outlined the importance of addressing social determinants such as poverty, stigma, and gender inequality that exacerbate the spread of the virus. Thus, increasing financial resources for HIV programming must be prioritized to maintain momentum and work toward the ambitious target of zero new HIV cases by 2030. Her call for action included encouraging public support for education campaigns—through cooperative efforts with the media to raise awareness and engender proactive societal measures against HIV/AIDS—underscoring a collective responsibility in this public health crisis.
