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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has restated its commitment to the cause of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030, hence it began the mobilisation of community leaders for gender-equitable social norms and gender equality in the uptake of HIV prevention services, notably, mother-to-child transmission, treatment, and other care services.
NACA said it will take advantage of the 2023 World AIDS Day (WAD) to amplify the voices of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the need to support the global fight against HIV which is expected to culminate in weakening the virus by 2030.
Director General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, at a press conference in Abuja, to herald the week-long activities to mark the 2023 World AIDS Day with the theme “Communities: Leadership to End AIDS by 2030” noted that NACA and its partners are on the right track to achieving the global project against HIV/AIDS.
He said: “Nigeria, like many other countries has made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS but there is still much to be done to achieve the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Global records indicated that Nigeria has the second-largest burden of HIV infection.
“Currently, a total of 1.8 million persons are estimated to be living with HIV in Nigeria out of which about 1.6 million are already on the lifesaving medication of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART). Approximately, 58 per cent are estimated to be female, while 42 per cent, male.
“The national average of mother-to-child transmission rate of 22 per cent is driven by a large number of states with transmission rates above 25 per cent and few states with rates below 15 per cent. Nigeria is responsible for about 30 per cent of the world’s gap in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT).”
He said government was committed achieving the global target of ending AIDS in Nigeria by 2030, hence he appreciated the invaluable contributions of communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “It’s within these communities that we have found resilience, determination and the will, to make a difference.
“The strength of these communities has propelled us forward in our efforts to improve services and access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Community leadership encompasses people having common roles and responsibilities to take actions as leaders.
“These community leaders in their diversities include policy makers, service providers, gatekeepers (traditional, religious, business/trade leaders etc.), women, men, young people and other vulnerable groups, civil society groups, people infected and affected by HIV, Key populations by their typology etc.”
Dr. Aliyu recognised the importance of addressing social and structural factors that drive the HIV epidemic, thus stressing the importance of confronting these systemic inequalities head-on and work tirelessly to ensure that all individuals have equal access to life-saving prevention, treatment, and care services as well as all other social services available to all Nigerians.
“Let us bolster community-led initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and champion policies that uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their HIV status. Together, we could harness the collective leadership of communities and drive forward with unwavering resolve. Let our actions today shape a tomorrow where HIV/AIDS is a chapter of our past and where every individual can live a life of health, dignity, and hope,” he appealed.
Hon. Amobi Oga, a Member of House of Representatives Committee on HIV, appreciated the efforts made so far in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the positive results recorded.
He assured NACA and partners of improved legislative support and budgetary provision that would enhance their work in order to meet the global target of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
He promised to mobilise members of the parliament including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeeen Abbas, to the event that would climax the 2023 WAD.
He appreciated the support of various development partners and global communities including UNAIDS, United State Government through PEPFAR, Global Funds for HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) and other partners for their indefatigable efforts over the years that have made the Nigeria HIV response the most resilient globally.
