The federal government has charged the Committee on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric AIDS Acceleration Plan with the responsibility of intensifying efforts to eliminate HIV transmission in Nigeria, particularly among mothers and children, by scaling up effective interventions.
Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, while inaugurating the committee in Abuja, expressed concern that Nigeria contributes 25 per cent of the global burden of HIV mother-to-children transmission.
He added that current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remained critically low at less than 35 per cent. This, he said, was far below the 95 per cent target.
Mr Alausa said, “I will work closely with the committee to review implementation and track data regularly. We will also ensure that we reverse the negative narrative of our contribution to the global burden of mother-to-children child transmission of HIV.
“This will ensure that no child is born HIV positive and that those who are positive receive quality care.
“We will also unlock value chains by collaborating with those willing to commence domestic production of HIV commodities, ensuring health security for our children.”
