Simply in: 1.6m of 2m Nigerians residing with HIV at present receiving therapy nationwide—NACA DG

Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Director General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, introduced that no less than 1.6 million of the 2 million individuals residing with HIV in Nigeria are at present receiving therapy.

The disclosure was made at a information convention in Abuja, forward of the 2024 World AIDS Day, which goals to maintain HIV response, cease HIV amongst youngsters, and finish AIDS in Nigeria by 2030.

December 1st marks the worldwide observance of World AIDS Day, geared toward elevating consciousness about HIV and AIDS whereas honouring the lives impacted by the epidemic.

This yr’s commemoration, in response to Ilori, will concentrate on stopping AIDS amongst youngsters and selling consciousness on sustaining and proudly owning the HIV response.

She mentioned, “Nigeria has an HIV prevalence charge of 1.4 % among the many basic inhabitants aged 15–64 years, with an estimated two million individuals residing with HIV. About 1.6 million of them are at present on therapy.

“The country continues to face significant challenges in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.”

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 2023 report, Nigeria has roughly 160,000 youngsters aged 0-14 residing with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring yearly.

Despite some progress, the nation’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission and paediatric HIV protection stay low, at beneath 33%, removed from the 95% goal.

To tackle this, NACA joined a world initiative in 2021 and developed the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children.

She added: “The plan is absolutely resourced, but protection continues to fall brief. To tackle this, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, just lately established a national-level acceleration committee to trace implementation.

“I have paid advocacy visits and inaugurated state committees in three states, engaging directly with governors to support the launch and resourcing of similar committees at the state level, ensuring that no child is born HIV positive in Nigeria.”

Ilori additional defined that NACA had been working with stakeholders in co-creating a sustainability roadmap to make sure the continuity of the HIV response within the occasion of donor assist withdrawal.

She mentioned: “This roadmap, amongst different issues, will be certain that Nigeria’s well being system stays safe, each by way of HIV and related ailments.

“On this World AIDS Day, I name on all Nigerians to hitch palms 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 providers and stay with dignity.

“Together, let us recommit to the vision of an AIDS-free Nigeria by 2030. Ending AIDS is not just a target; it is a testament to our resolve, compassion, and unity as a nation.”

Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director, confused that Nigeria’s efforts to finish AIDS by 2030 require sustainable options and renewed political dedication.

Zekeng mentioned: “Sustainability means renewed political commitment and more domestic resources. I know the DG is working closely with the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of Health to allocate more resources from the government and the private sector to the AIDS response.”

Persecondnews remembers that in November 2022, the Senate arrange a three-man advert hoc committee to look into the budgeting strategy of NACA.

This was a sequel to the presentation of the company’s 2021-2022 price range efficiency by the Director General, Gambo Aliyu, earlier than the Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Ishaku Abbo, expressed concern within the uncoordinated approach the price range proposals for the company have been ready.

According to Abbo, placing recurrent objects beneath the capital price range was an anomaly.

“The indisputable fact that issues have gone flawed for 100 years doesn’t make it proper. We should change how issues are executed. How can a board assembly be captured as a capital undertaking? This isn’t just a discrepancy; it’s a misnomer. We should right this misnomer.

“The committee will look at it and expunge it. Your capital doesn’t sound capital enough. We understand the importance of your agency,” Abbo mentioned.