Kehinde Fajobi
The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, has reiterated that HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, Osun State, Dr Ilori highlighted the persistence of mother-to-child transmission of the disease despite progress made.
She pointed out that Osun’s 0.9% mother-to-child transmission rate, though below the national average, underscores Nigeria’s struggle with children born with HIV.
“In 2023, we recorded 26,000 new infections among children aged 0-14 and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths in the same age group,” Ilori revealed.
“HIV/AIDS is still here with us. We are still having new infections. I believe the disease is still a public threat, and only when we work together with our state governors, our local government, and other agencies can we stop this narrative,” she added.
Dr Ilori explained that the newly inaugurated Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission and Pediatric Antiretroviral Therapy Acceleration Committee aims to close treatment gaps for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV.
“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,” she said.
She noted that the committee’s work is part of a broader national strategy, with similar initiatives being launched across other states.
“The establishment of this committee signifies a renewed commitment to intensify efforts in these critical areas, striving to close existing gaps and ensure that no child is born with HIV in Nigeria,” Ilori stated.