The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, as the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) inaugurated a high-level committee in Osogbo, Osun State.
Speaking at the event, NACA Director-General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, expressed concern over the alarming statistics: 26,000 children aged 0-14 contracted HIV in 2023, while 15,000 succumbed to AIDS-related complications.
“To ensure no child is born with HIV, we’ve established a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Acceleration Committee,” Ilori said. The committee comprises representatives from diverse sectors, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, health officials, community advocates, and people living with HIV/AIDS, with the media playing a key role in raising awareness.
Ilori emphasized the urgency of the initiative, calling for collaboration with state governors and local governments to reverse the trend of new infections.
“HIV/AIDS remains a public health threat, and only a united effort can halt the cycle of new infections and deaths,” she added.
The federal government has pledged to provide free HIV testing and medication at primary healthcare centers, urging Nigerians to access these services to curb the spread of the virus. This initiative represents a critical step in Nigeria’s fight to protect future generations from the impact of HIV/AIDS.
