Nigeria steps up efforts to end AIDS by 2030
As the world commemorates the 2024 World AIDS Day on December 1, Nigeria has reaffirmed its dedication to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through a national-level acceleration committee established to track implementation of the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children.
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The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, who disclosed this in a statement, said by prioritising the health and well-being of children, Nigeria aims to break the cycle of HIV transmission and create a brighter future for generations to come.
Ilori said this year’s theme, “Take the Rights Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV among Children to End AIDS in Nigeria by 2030,” aligns with the country’s goal of ensuring a healthier future for all Nigerians.
She argued that with an HIV prevalence of 1.4 percent among the general population aged 15-64, Nigeria has made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, however, challenges persist, particularly in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.
“World AIDS Day remains an opportunity to reflect on our journey, recognise the strides we have made, and reaffirm our commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. It also reminds us that despite advancements, challenges persist, especially among marginalized communities.
“This year, we are placing special emphasis on stopping AIDS among our children as well as raising consciousness on sustainability and ownership of the HIV response.
“As you are aware, Nigeria has HIV prevalence of 1.4 percent among the general population, 15-64 years with an estimated two million people living with HIV. The country continues to face a significant challenge in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.”
Ilori emphasised that World AIDS Day serves as a chance to reflect on progress and recommit to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, while recognising ongoing difficulties, particularly for marginalised groups.
She said that following comprehensive data analysis in 2021, Nigeria joined the international initiative and developed the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children. Still, even with the plan fully resourced, coverage continues to fall short.
“The UNAIDS 2023 report shows that approximately 160,000 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring each year. Despite country progress, our PMTCT and paediatric HIV coverage remains below 33 percent—well below the 95 percent target.”
“To address this, the Minister of State for Health recently established a national-level acceleration committee; to track implementation and I have paid advocacy visits and inaugurated State committees in three states engaging directly with three governors to support the launch and resourcing of a similar committee at the state level, ensuring that no child is born HIV positive in Nigeria. This will go around the 36 States and FCT in due course.
“Furthermore, my team has been engaging with all critical stakeholders in the HIV response in co-creating a sustainability road map that intends to sustain our gains within the HIV response and put government-mandated structures at the centre of programme implementation in the states. This road map, among other things, will ensure that in the event of donor support withdrawal, the country is secured health-wise and socially as regards HIV and associated diseases,” she avowed.
Announcing significant strides made in Nigeria’s HIV response over the past year, the Director-General said the agency has launched the PMTCT and Pediatric ART Acceleration Committee to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Partnerships have been forged to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) locally, ensuring a sustainable supply of essential medications.
However, dwindling donor funding, service delivery gaps, stigma, and discrimination persist. To address these issues, the agency plans to scale up PMTCT services, promote universal access to free antenatal care, and expand health insurance coverage for comprehensive HIV care.
