HIV/AIDS Remains a Public Health Threat in Nigeria

HIV/AIDS Remains a Public Health Threat in Nigeria

Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has sounded the alarm on the persistent threat of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Despite efforts to combat the disease, Ilori notes that Nigeria still records a significant number of new infections, particularly among children.

According to Ilori, in 2023, approximately 26,000 children were infected with HIV/AIDS, while 15,000 children between the ages of 0 to 14 years died from AIDS-related illnesses.¹ These statistics are a stark reminder that HIV/AIDS remains a public health threat that requires urgent attention.

The Way Forward

To address the ongoing challenge of HIV/AIDS, Ilori emphasizes the need for a collaborative effort between state governors, local governments, and other agencies. The establishment of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission and Pediatric Antiretroviral Therapy Acceleration Committee is a step in the right direction.

The committee's primary focus is to address the treatment gap among pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV, ensuring they receive continuous care and support. By enhancing PMTCT services and scaling up pediatric HIV care, the committee aims to reduce new HIV infections among children and improve health outcomes for HIV-exposed infants.

A Call to Action

The inauguration of the committee in Osun State is part of a broader national strategy to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV across the country. It's a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to combat HIV/AIDS and ensure that no child is born with HIV in Nigeria.