Nigeria is taking renewed and determined steps to eliminate paediatric HIV and strengthen the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, reaffirming its national commitment at a high-level health symposium held in Abuja. The event, convened under the theme “Advancing PMTCT and Paediatric Treatment Coverage for Nigeria”, brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, civil society, and development partners to assess progress and chart the course forward.
A National Commitment to End HIV Transmission at Birth
Speaking at the National HIV Health Sector Symposium, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, underscored the government’s dedication to ensuring that no child is born with HIV. “We must ensure that every pregnant woman living with HIV has access to timely care and antiretroviral therapy,” Salako declared, adding that the “State of Emergency on PMTCT remains in force until every Nigerian child is born HIV-free.”
Salako also praised the support of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and her Renewed Hope Initiative for prioritising HIV as a critical public health issue. He further urged stronger partnerships, increased domestic investment, and greater innovation in programme implementation to accelerate progress.
A Wake-Up Call: One in Five Children Born with HIV Globally Is Nigerian
Representing the First Lady at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted sobering statistics that demand urgent action. “One in every five children born with HIV globally is a Nigerian,” she stated, calling for collective responsibility and action at all levels of government and society.
She launched two pivotal national policy documents:
- A Standard Guide for the Treatment and Management of Hepatitis, HIV, and Syphilis, and
- A National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for tracking programme effectiveness.
The First Lady’s message called for expanding early infant testing, eradicating stigma, retaining patients in lifelong treatment, and implementing the triple elimination strategy for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis.
NACA DG: It’s Time for Nigeria to Own Its HIV Response
Dr. Tope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), stressed the importance of national ownership and sustainability. “We must consolidate on our gains and reduce dependence on foreign donors,” she said. “It’s time for Nigeria to fully fund and drive its HIV response.”
Ilori urged increased community-level HIV testing and comprehensive treatment for all pregnant women living with the virus to prevent transmission to their children. Addressing public concerns, she assured that there are adequate stocks of antiretroviral medications available across the country.
Marked Progress, But Gaps Remain
Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of NASCP, highlighted remarkable progress in HIV coverage and treatment outcomes over the past two years.
Key milestones include:
- Child HIV treatment coverage increasing from 29% to 74%
- PMTCT coverage growing from 34% to 67%
- HIV testing among pregnant women rising from 2 million to 5.75 million
“While these numbers reflect significant improvement, we are not yet where we need to be,” Bashorun noted. “The remaining gaps—26% for child treatment and 33% for PMTCT—must be closed to achieve universal coverage.”
He emphasized that the new policy documents would standardize care delivery and provide measurable indicators to ensure accountability in Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response.
The Road Ahead: Toward an AIDS-Free Generation
With strong political will, increasing coverage, and growing momentum among stakeholders, Nigeria is positioning itself to reach the global goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030. However, participants agreed that the journey demands sustained collaboration, funding, community engagement, and zero tolerance for stigma.
“The tide can be turned,” the First Lady’s representative concluded. “But it will take every hand on deck to ensure no child is born with HIV and no mother is left behind.”