Bolanle Akanji
Moderator
The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Thursday said that efforts are being made to ensure the successful passage of the HIV and AIDS anti-stigma bill. This was at a news conference held in commemoration of the 2013 World AIDS Day.
Chukwu, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Sani Bala, said that over 70 million people had been infected with the HIV virus, while not less than 35 million people had died of AIDS globally.
``The current national HIV and AIDS prevalence figure of 4.1 per cent conceals regional variations, ranging from one per cent in Kebbi State to 12 per cent in Benue State.
``However, all the states are affected. 17 states and FCT have prevalence rates of over five per cent with young adults, aged 15 to 29 years, mostly affected,” he said.
The minister said that tangible emphasis had been placed on disease-prevention efforts, with specific focus on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) to ensure the achievement of zero-new infections as it has the ability to ensure 100 per cent interruption of vertical transmission of HIV infection from a HIV-positive pregnant woman to an unborn child. PMTCT is also a proven, cost-effective strategy.
``We need to scale up HIV Testing and Counselling (HCT) services in an equitable and sustainable way; we also need to strengthen evidence-informed best practices targeting special populations, especially `most-at-risk- populations’,” he said.
The minister said that the government has taken great measures to reduce and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. According to him, about 1,920 health facilities provided PMTCT services across the country, saying that the ministry also plans to increase public awareness creation activities so as to mobilise more people for HCT.
He called on all the stakeholders to participate in the crusade against HIV and AIDS
Chukwu, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Sani Bala, said that over 70 million people had been infected with the HIV virus, while not less than 35 million people had died of AIDS globally.
``The current national HIV and AIDS prevalence figure of 4.1 per cent conceals regional variations, ranging from one per cent in Kebbi State to 12 per cent in Benue State.
``However, all the states are affected. 17 states and FCT have prevalence rates of over five per cent with young adults, aged 15 to 29 years, mostly affected,” he said.
The minister said that tangible emphasis had been placed on disease-prevention efforts, with specific focus on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) to ensure the achievement of zero-new infections as it has the ability to ensure 100 per cent interruption of vertical transmission of HIV infection from a HIV-positive pregnant woman to an unborn child. PMTCT is also a proven, cost-effective strategy.
``We need to scale up HIV Testing and Counselling (HCT) services in an equitable and sustainable way; we also need to strengthen evidence-informed best practices targeting special populations, especially `most-at-risk- populations’,” he said.
The minister said that the government has taken great measures to reduce and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. According to him, about 1,920 health facilities provided PMTCT services across the country, saying that the ministry also plans to increase public awareness creation activities so as to mobilise more people for HCT.
He called on all the stakeholders to participate in the crusade against HIV and AIDS
