The Federal Government has tasked the committee on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric AIDS Acceleration Plan to scale-up interventions to eliminate HIV transmission in Nigeria. Dr Tunji Alausa, minister of state for health and social welfare, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, expressed concern that Nigeria contributes 25 percent of the global burden of HIV transmission between mothers and children. He added that current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remained critically low at less than 35 percent, far below the 95 percent target.
He said, “I will work closely with the committee to review implementation and track data regularly. This will ensure that no child is born HIV positive, and those who are positive receive quality care. We will also unlock value chains by collaborating with those willing to commence domestic production of HIV commodities, ensuring health security for our children.”
Earlier, Temitope Iori, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said the country’s incidence prevalence necessitated the inauguration of the committee.
“Our epidemiological estimates show that 140,000 children under 14 are living with HIV as of 2023, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths in children. Current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remain alarmingly low at less than 33 percent, far short of the 95 percent target.”
She said the committee will provide oversight to the PMTCT and Paediatric HIV program implementation towards ending HIV and AIDS among our children. Also, Olu Folake-Abdirasaq, Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses’ Forum and wife of the Kwara state governor, commended the federal government’s efforts and emphasized the role of sub-national initiatives.
She revealed plans to enroll women living with HIV in the state’s health insurance program, expanding on her earlier initiative that included sickle cell patients. Funmi Adesanya, Country Coordinator, U.S. Government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), said the U.S. has invested $8.3 billion over the past 21 years to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030 in Nigeria.
“We commend the leadership of the Government of Nigeria for your vision and for convening us to address this urgent issue because it is an emergency. No child in Nigeria should be born with HIV, and the U.S. government is committed to our partnership to ensure that this is a reality,” she said.
Leo Zekeng, the Country Director and Representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in Nigeria, stated that funding the efforts against the scourge was not a challenge, as resources were available through 2026.
Zekeng assured the support of UN agencies in Nigeria to the initiative while urging other stakeholders to recommit to the cause and fully support the initiative.
On his part, Oyebanji Fulani, Chairman, Commissioners of Health Forum, while stressing the need for resources, assured that governments at the state level would do their part to ensure the success of the initiative.
NAN reports that the committee is expected to focus on early testing, optimize treatment and care for infants, children, and adolescents living with HIV. It is also expected to close treatment gaps for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and address social and structural barriers that hinder access to services.
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