Nigeria records 42,700 AIDS-related deaths yearly, says NEPWAN

AHF cautions against risky behaviour

About 42,700 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths, including 14,400 children and 14,500 women, are recorded in Nigeria yearly.

The National Secretary of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Nicholas Ugbenyen, disclosed this at the Candlelight event it organised, yesterday, in Abuja to remember those who died of HIV/AIDS, as part of activities to mark the 2024 World AIDS Day.

On her part, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, appealed to Persons Living With HIV in the country to stop self-isolation, access care and continue their medication to suppress the virus.

Also, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has urged people including adolescents to ensure they know their HIV status and avoid risky behaviours.

Ugbenyen advocated policy change to stop HIV among children to end AIDS in Nigeria by 2030 and called on all stakeholders to support policies and funding that prioritise the prevention and treatment of HIV in children.

He also called for sustainable best practices and innovative approaches to sustaining the HIV response, particularly in paediatric care, to ensure long-term impact and support.

Ilori noted that NACA wanted to ensure that every Nigerian had access to HIV screening, counselling and treatment to ensure that no one was left behind.

She said, “We want to stop the mother-to-child transition of HIV. We want to ensure that no child is born with HIV, ensure a generation free of HIV and end the HIV crisis.”

COUNTRY Programme Director of AHF, Nigeria, Dr Eche Ijezie, during the commemoration of the 2024 World AIDS Day in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, yesterday, harped on abstinence to sex, noting that where such was not possible, unprotected sexual acts or having multiple sexual partners should be avoided.

He said, “We must ensure that we avoid risky sexual behaviours such as having multiple sexual partners, having unprotected sex and a host of others. Everyone must know his or her status, the tests are for free, condoms are for free and available. So, we are encouraging everyone to test and know their status.

“Avoiding risky behaviours is crucial for adolescents and youths. We are also harping on comprehensive sexuality education targeted at adolescents and young persons with the aim being to avoid Sexually Transmitted Infections, (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy.”

Akwa Ibom State Coordinator for the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Mrs Elizabeth Udoh, thanked AHF for the initiative and commended the organisation for carrying their partners along in the commemoration.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Drug Free and Preventive Healthcare, Mrs Grace Umosen, said: “The event was a great success. We are happy to collaborate with AHF for this event, and we commend the instructiveness of the programme, especially the free HIV tests on offer and free condoms that were distributed to the people.”