The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has established a multisectoral committee aimed at eliminating mother-to-child transmission in Delta State.
Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of NACA, launched the Delta State Pediatric Accelerated Committee for Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV on Thursday in Asaba, which serves as the capital of Delta State. During his inauguration speech, he mentioned that although Nigeria faces financial difficulties, the treatment for HIV continues to be provided at no cost.
Ilori said that President Bola Tinubu was committed to ending the scourge of HIV in the country, which informed the budgetary provision of N300 billion to fight the disease and other health-related issues.
She stated, “The United States government wasn’t the sole ally in combating the HIV epidemic; various other nations continue to assist Nigeria in its efforts to eradicate HIV, specifically in preventing mother-to-child transmission.”
So, our purpose today is to launch the Delta State Program for Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and to kick off the Pediatric HIV Acceleration Committee.
“A similar committee has been inaugurated at the national level, and because the states are major stakeholders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, we have to replicate the committee in the states.
Regrettably, HIV continues to be present among us, and Nigeria bears the heaviest load of newborns affected by HIV. Currently, the prevalence of HIV in Nigeria stands at approximately 1.4 percent, whereas in Delta State, it is around 1.9 percent. However, we aim to achieve even greater progress in lowering these numbers. More distressingly, there are still infants being born with HIV, yet our objective is to alter this reality.
I understand that antiretroviral drugs are available at all hospitals, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities. Therefore, we encourage expectant mothers to seek prenatal care and undergo an HIV test. If these women test positive, we will provide them with treatment.
We will also be testing their children. Should they have HIV, we have medications suitable for children. By screening the pregnant women at an early stage and starting treatment promptly for those who test positive, we can help ensure that these infants are born without HIV.
She stated that the committee, consisting of all stakeholders such as faith-based organizations, will guarantee that our mothers and women receive adequate antenatal care.
According to the NACA boss, HIV drugs are completely free and they are available in our hospitals; Primary healthcare centres, secondary facilities and in our teaching hospitals.
During his address, State Commissioner for Health Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Dr. Philomena Okeowo, mentioned that the timing of the inauguration was appropriate.
Onojaeme committed the state government’s backing to guarantee that HIV transmission from mothers to children would be eradicated in the state.
As the federal government, NACA, and other collaborators were praised by the commissioner, they urged the committee to diligently strive towards eliminating HIV transmission from mothers to children within the Delta region.
Additionally, Dr. Hobson Rudolf, who serves as the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Agency for Control of AIDS, mentioned that the newly established multisectoral committee will develop a detailed plan to fulfill its mission of reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission within the state.
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