The federal government has announced that an estimated 140,000 children in Nigeria are currently infected with HIV.
Despite ongoing efforts to control HIV infection among children, the coverage for pediatric treatment remains at a mere 35 percent, significantly below the global standard of 95 percent.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the Preventing Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and Paediatric AIDS Acceleration Plan Committee in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the critical threat HIV poses to the survival of children in Nigeria. He noted that the country records more than 22,000 new infections and 300 child deaths due to HIV annually.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the alarming statistics: “Nigeria contributes 25 percent of the global burden of HIV transmission between mothers and their children. Despite testing approximately 4 million pregnant women in 2023, our PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remains at about 35 percent, falling significantly short of the 95 percent target.”
In response to this crisis, the newly inaugurated PMTCT Committee is tasked with accelerating efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV nationwide. The committee will focus on scaling up pediatric HIV care and eliminating vertical transmission between mothers and their children, a goal outlined in Nigeria’s Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children Action Plan.
Dr. Alausa outlined the committee’s mandate, which includes:
1. **Early Testing and Treatment**: Providing optimized, high-quality treatment and care for infants, children, and adolescents living with HIV, as well as those exposed to the virus.
2. **Closing Treatment Gaps**: Ensuring continuous treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV to eliminate vertical transmission.
3. **Preventing New Infections**: Detecting and preventing new HIV infections among pregnant and breastfeeding adolescents and women.
4. **Addressing Barriers**: Tackling social and structural obstacles that hinder access to HIV services.
Mrs. Esther Hendi, President of the National Association of Women Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, stressed that with the right commitment, HIV can be eliminated in the country. She urged state governments, particularly the governors’ wives, to support efforts in curbing the spread of HIV in communities.
Fumi Adesanya, PEPFAR Coordinator for Nigeria, underscored the urgency of ensuring no child is born with HIV-AIDS, advocating for comprehensive efforts to eradicate the disease. Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, emphasized the importance of progress in Nigeria for the broader goal of ending HIV-AIDS in Africa.
The federal government’s commitment to this initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the pediatric HIV crisis in Nigeria, aiming to achieve global health standards and improve the lives of children affected by HIV.
