Approximately 26,000 children aged 0 to 14 contracted HIV in 2023, with 15,000 succumbing to the disease during the year, according to Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).
Dr. Ilori disclosed the figures on Thursday in Osogbo, Osun state, during the inauguration of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Pediatric Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Acceleration Committee.
She expressed concern over the continued spread of AIDS and emphasized the urgent need for collective action to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Dr. Ilori reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving an AIDS-free generation by 2030.
She said: “AIDS is still here with us, we are still having new infections. Just last year, we had 26,000 new infections among children aged 0-14 and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths among children 0-14. I believe the disease is still a public threat and is only when we work together with our State Governors, our Local Government, and other agencies that we can stop this narrative.
“The primary focus is to address the treatment gap among pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV, ensuring they receive continuous care and support. By enhancing PMTCT services and scaling up pediatric HIV care, the committee aims to reduce new HIV infections among children and improve health outcomes for HIV-exposed infants.
“The inauguration in Osun State is part of a broader national strategy, with similar committees being launched in other states to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV across the country”.
Earlier, during the NACA DG visit to the State’s Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, reaffirmed Osun State Government’s commitment to combating HIV/AIDS, applauding NACA’s initiatives and expressing gratitude for their support in improving healthcare delivery in the state.
