The Federal Government said, on Thursday, that it is aligned with the global community in the pursuit of the global target of achieving epidemic control and ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
At a 1.3 percent prevalence rate (NAIIS Report 2018). the government said that over 1.6 million people are on treatment in Nigeria, inclusive of over 50, 000 children who might have been infected through Mother-to-Child Transmission.
Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, the National Coordinator, National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Federal Ministry of Health, told journalists at a press conference, in Abuja, that Nigeria has achieved 94-90-96 of the global 95- 95-95 UNAIDS target for HIV.
He recalled that UNAIDS, few years ago, set a 95-95-95 goal as part of the efforts to achieve epidemic control of HIV/AIDS by 2030. “This target was for 95 percent of the people who are living with HIV to know their HIV status; 95 percent of the people who know that they are living with HIV being put on lifesaving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART); and 95 percent of people who are on treatment being virally suppressed.
“We are about to exceed that target in Nigeria. So far, we have achieved 94-90-96 target. This means that we have succeeded in getting 94 percent of the people to know their HIV status, 90 percent of the people who know that they are living with HIV put on lifesaving ART, and 96 percent of them have successfully gained virally suppression.
“About 50,676 children living with HIV (CLHIV) are currently on treatment. This, evidently, represents 32 percent of the estimated CLHIVs. Undoubtedly, Nigeria is on track to achieving the 2030 target of global HIV epidemic control. Our prevalence rate stands at 1.3 percent. This is good compared to some countries with over 10 percent. But the challenge we have is the size of our population. That’s why we have the highest burden in the world.
“As March to 2030 global target, there’s a need for sustainability of the gains we have made over the period. We need to get the data right so it can guide our response to the challenge.
He, however, expressed optimism that the newly launched Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) document for health facilities will further assist in bringing down the figure of MTCT cases.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who launched the documents, appreciated the efforts of all the stakeholders that culminated in the improved indices of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, particularly in the area of PMTCT.
He, however, reminded them that more work lies ahead, particularly as the world races against time in pursuit of the global target of achieving epidemic control and ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
On his side, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis (ATM), Hon. Amobi Ogah, advocated a new approach to funding HIV/AIDS cases in Nigeria.
He said: “There’s an urgent need for us to reduce foreign financial dependence for HIV-related interventions by, at least, 50 percent. This will enable us have a backup and sustainability plan in case of any unexpected withdrawal of financial support by international partners.”
He appealed to religious and community leaders to take up the HIV response cases, so they can help the government meet the 2030 global target of achieving epidemic control and ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS), and PEPFAR, among others, renewed their commitment to the cause of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa; House Committee Chairman on ATM, Hon. Amobi Ogah; Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator, National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Federal Ministry of Health, during the press conference and launch of PMTCT SOP for health facilities.
SOURCE: The SUN
