FG Declares ‘State Of Emergency’ On Paediatric HIV Vows To End Child Infections
Despite major medical breakthroughs and the availability of lifesaving treatment, thousands of Nigerian children are still being born with HIV each year, a preventable tragedy that experts say must end.
With over 9,000 Nigerian children still contracting HIV from their mothers annually, the Federal Government has declared the elimination of paediatric HIV a national emergency, calling for accelerated action and collaboration to halt the trend.
At the National HIV Health Sector Symposium in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, described the situation as a “State of Emergency” that must remain in focus until every Nigerian child is born HIV-free.
“Nigeria has the knowledge and the tools to stop this,” Dr Salako said. “What remains is the collective will to reach every woman and child, no matter where they live.”
Progress has been made: in 2024 alone, Nigeria’s paediatric HIV treatment coverage leapt from 29% to 74%, while PMTCT services reached 66% of eligible women. But with the country still ranking among the highest contributors to global paediatric HIV cases, stakeholders at the symposium stressed that success will depend on scaling what works and closing the gaps.
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu—represented by the Minister of Women Affairs reaffirmed her support for the Free to Shine Campaign, advocating the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis in mothers and children.
“No child should be born with HIV,” she said. “And no mother should be left behind without care.”
Health leaders, including Dr Adebobola Bashorun of NASCP and representatives from UNICEF, CHAI, and NACA, unveiled a roadmap to reach the goal: integrate HIV testing into all antenatal services, prioritise early infant diagnosis, and ensure no woman is left without antiretroviral treatment—whether she’s at a primary health centre or relying on informal care.
The Federal Ministry of Health also highlighted President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which includes a $200 million emergency fund to boost HIV, malaria, and TB responses amid declining donor support.
The symposium closed with a shared commitment from government, partners, and civil society to push Nigeria closer to an AIDS-free generation by 2030.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n