Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director Normal of the Nationwide Company for the Management of AIDS (NACA), has revealed that 1.6 million out of the two million individuals dwelling with HIV in Nigeria are presently on therapy.
She disclosed this throughout a press convention in Abuja forward of the 2024 World AIDS Day, themed “Take the Rights Path: Maintain HIV Response; Cease HIV Amongst Youngsters to Finish AIDS in Nigeria by 2030.”
The theme emphasizes the urgency to curb the epidemic amongst youngsters whereas elevating consciousness and honoring these affected by HIV/AIDS.
In response to Ilori, Nigeria’s HIV prevalence stands at 1.4% among the many basic inhabitants, with about 160,000 youngsters aged 0-14 dwelling with the virus.
Mom-to-child transmission stays a problem
Ilori acknowledged that regardless of progress, the nation faces vital challenges in stopping mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), with protection remaining under 33 p.c.
- In response, to deal with these challenges, NACA has developed the World Alliance Motion Plan to Finish AIDS in Youngsters and established a national-level acceleration committee to trace implementation.
- She defined that the company has additionally engaged stakeholders to co-create a sustainability roadmap, making certain that positive aspects within the HIV response are sustained, and government-mandated constructions are in place.
“This roadmap, amongst different issues, will make sure that Nigeria’s well being system stays safe, each by way of HIV and related ailments.”
Ilori emphasised the necessity for collective motion, calling on all Nigerians to affix arms with NACA to interrupt the stigma, embrace fairness, and drive collective motion to cease HIV amongst youngsters.
“On this World AIDS Day, I name on all Nigerians to affix arms with NACA to interrupt the stigma, embrace fairness, drive collective motion, and cease HIV amongst our youngsters.
“We should empower each particular person, particularly ladies who’re most weak to contracting HIV, and different weak populations, to entry life-saving companies and reside with dignity.
“Collectively, allow us to recommit to the imaginative and prescient of an AIDS-free Nigeria by 2030. Ending AIDS is not only a goal, it’s a testomony to our resolve, compassion, and unity as a nation,” she stated.
World and native partnerships to maintain progress
Mr. Leo Zekeng, Nation Director of UNAIDS, emphasised the necessity for sustainability and renewed political dedication as Nigeria strikes towards ending AIDS by 2030.
“To attain sustainability within the struggle in opposition to HIV/AIDS, renewed political dedication and elevated home sources are important.
“This entails collaboration between authorities businesses, non-public sectors, and well being organisations to allocate extra sources to the AIDS response.”
- Equally, Dr. Patrick Dakum, Chief Govt Officer of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), emphasised the necessity for sustainability, renewed political dedication, and collaborative motion to deal with the challenges forward.
- Dakum, represented by Dr Olayemi Olupitan, Challenge Director, IHVN World Fund N-THRIP, stated they’ve demonstrated excellence in combating HIV and TB by way of a holistic strategy that bridged nationwide and community-level interventions.
“Our work has persistently targeted on delivering patient-centered options, strengthening well being techniques, and decreasing stigma and discrimination in communities.
“World AIDS Day serves as a reminder of our collective accountability to make sure that nobody is left behind within the struggle in opposition to HIV/AIDS,” he stated.
Increasing preventive measures past 2030
Funmi Adesanya, Nigeria’s Nation Coordinator for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Aid (PEPFAR), known as for the growth of preventive efforts to finish HIV/AIDS and look past 2030.
Adesanya, represented by Deputy Nation Coordinator Mr Emerson Evans, confused the necessity to scale up evidence-based prevention methods, similar to Pre-Publicity Prophylaxis and hurt discount companies to often-overlooked populations like youngsters.
”Spend money on resilient and inclusive healthcare techniques that guarantee uninterrupted entry to antiretroviral remedy, even in crises.
“Deal with social determinants like stigma, discrimination, and structural inequalities that hinder entry to care, notably for marginalised teams,” she stated.
Adesanya additionally emphasised the significance of investing in analysis and growth, supporting progressive vaccine growth, and creating long-acting therapy regimens to enhance outcomes and scale back transmission.
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