AMID DONALD TRUMP’s order to halt the funding for HIV treatment in developing countries as part of an executive order on foreign aid, the Federal Government has said it would support the domestic production of HIV commodities, including test kits and antiretroviral drugs, before the end of 2025.
Temitope Ilori, the director-general of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), announced this at the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatrics ART acceleration committee on Friday in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state.
According to Ilori, the government’s plan to provide a supportive atmosphere in order to eradicate AIDS as a public health concern by 2030 includes local production.
She stressed other initiatives being carried out, such as enlisting everyone in the national health insurance program, supplying states with funding, bolstering lobbying efforts, and promoting vaccine development and research.
Ilori added that the new committee is a step towards achieving an AIDS-free generation and ensuring a sustainable response to HIV.
“UNAIDS 2023 reports indicate that approximately 140,000 children aged 0-14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring annually,” she said.
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“Despite progress, PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remain below 33%, far from the 95% target.
“To address this, the global alliance action plan to end AIDS in children was developed in 2021 with full financial support, yet coverage remains suboptimal.”
Ilori noted that while Kwara state’s HIV prevalence (0.8%) is below the national average of 1.4 per cent, disparities persist.
“Women are disproportionately affected (1.3%) compared to men (0.4%), and some local governments require targeted interventions to maintain and further reduce prevalence rates,” she added.
“Achieving an AIDS-free generation is within reach, and no child should be born HIV-positive in Kwara state.
“I urge all partners to support us in developing a comprehensive line list of children of HIV-positive clients, which is crucial to accelerating pediatric ART nationwide.”
She further stated that the minister of state for health has set up a national acceleration committee.
The NACA DG said the model is being replicated at the state level to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and enhance real-time programme monitoring.
She stressed the need for government-led sustainability efforts to reduce dependence on donor support.
“Over the past few days, I have received numerous calls regarding the implications of the 90-day foreign aid suspension on our HIV programme,” she added.
“While we are relieved that HIV services remain exempt, this situation underscores the need for government-led sustainability efforts.”
US President
As a result, the US Department of State suspended the disbursement of funds from the president’s emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR).
But the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS in a statement on Wednesday said the US government approved a waiver that allows people living with HIV to continue accessing treatment.
