The Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has inaugurated the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Pediatric AIDS Acceleration Plan Committee in Abuja.
This initiative follows the 2021 development of Nigeria’s Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children Action Plan, aimed at enhancing PMTCT efforts and addressing pediatric HIV coverage gaps. Despite comprehensive strategies and significant financial investments, coverage remains critically low.
In her opening remarks, NACA Director General Temitope Ilori emphasized Nigeria’s urgent need to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and improve care for children living with HIV. “Our epidemiological estimates indicate that as of 2023, 140,000 children under 14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths. Current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage is alarmingly low at less than 33%, far below the 95% target,” she stated. Ilori expressed hope for changing Nigeria’s significant contribution to the global PMTCT and pediatric HIV burden, aspiring for a future where no child in Nigeria is born HIV positive.
PEPFAR Coordinator Funmi Adesanya highlighted the U.S. Government’s commitment, noting over $8.3 billion invested in Nigeria over 21 years to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030. These investments include health systems strengthening, provision of antiretrovirals (ARVs), rapid test kits, human resources, and surge staff. Adesanya praised Nigeria’s leadership and reiterated the U.S. commitment to the partnership aimed at ensuring no child in Nigeria is born with HIV.
Prof. Olufolake Abdulrasaq, First Lady of Kwara State and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, lauded the establishment of the committee by the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa. She emphasized the Forum’s dedication to supporting this initiative at the sub-national level, reinforcing their commitment to improving healthcare, education, cancer awareness, and addressing sexual and gender-based violence, drug abuse among women and children, and climate change. Abdulrasaq called for scaling up sensitization efforts to eliminate AIDS from communities by 2030.
The event was attended by notable figures, including Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare Prof. Mohammed Ali-Pate, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Tunji Alausa, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (represented by Dr. Lateef Shittu), Chairperson of the Commissioners of Health Forum Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Chief Executive of the State AIDS Control Agency Forum Dr. Adedayo Adegbolu, National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Hepatitis and STI Control Programme Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, UN Country Director Dr. Leo Zekeng, National Coordinator of the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria Mrs. Esther Hindi, Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism Executive Secretary Mr. Tajudeen Ibrahim, Country Director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation Dr. Echey Ijezie, and other senior government officials and partner organizations’ executives.
