FG seeks interventions to prevent HIV transmission among children

The Federal Government said it remains committed to achieving the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

It called on state governments and the private sector to scale up interventions aimed at preventing HIV transmission among children.

Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako made the call at the event organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to mark the 2024 World AIDS Day on Tuesday in Abuja.

Salako noted that with an estimated two million people living with HIV in the country, it is critical to reposition the HIV response to meet the needs of vulnerable groups.

He emphasised the need to address the social, cultural, and economic barriers that hinder access to healthcare services for women and children.

Salako observed that the government has taken a step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS by ensuring HIV is fully integrated in the sector wide approach (SWAp) which will help ensure that all resources are aligned with our national health priorities can continue to lead HIV response with full government ownership and accountability.

The minster stressed the need to sustain the momentum in the fight against HIV&AIDS in the country and commended NACA for the significant strides made so far in her mandate to coordinate the multi-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS.

He said, “Through NACA’s good coordination of the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to HIV/AIDS, Nigeria has been able to expand access to testing and treatment, comprehensive prevention programmes, and reduce stigma and discrimination.

“On this 2024 World AIDS Day, let us renew our commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria. Together, we can build a healthier, more inclusive future for all. Let us recommit ourselves to this noble cause. The path to ending AIDS in Nigeria by 2030 is clear. Let us walk this path with determination, unity, and purpose, ensuring that future generations will live in a world free of HIV.”

Also speaking, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria , Mohamed M. Malick Fall said that human rights violations and abuse continue to undermine the progress towards the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat.

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Fall stated that commitment to human rights, including gender equality, equitable access to affordable prevention and treatment tools and sustainable financing are essential for ending AIDS as a public health threat.

According to him, to end AIDS as a public health threat, there is the need to promote, protect and fulfil the human rights of all people living with and affected by HIV.

He said, “The path to end AIDS is not in doubt -it is indeed the rights path. We can end AIDS as a public health threat, if the human rights of all people living with and at risk of HIV are upheld.”

Fall stressed the need to place Children’s rights at the center of the HIV response stressing that ending AIDS in children requires a multifaceted approach.

He highlighted the need to intensify efforts to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, so that no child in Nigeria will be born or from AIDS-related illnesses.

In her welcome address, the Director General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori said that the World AIDS Day offers a moment to reflect on the progress, address challenges, and strengthen our efforts in the ongoing fight against HIV.

Ilori noted that despite advancements, challenges persist, especially among marginalized communities adding that the agency is placing special emphasis on stopping AIDS among our children as well as raising consciousness on sustainability and ownership of the HIV response.