FG Renews Push to End Paediatric HIV, Mother-to-Child Transmission Nationwide

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating paediatric HIV and preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in Nigeria, as part of its broader effort to curb the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable populations.

This assurance was given by the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare during a media briefing ahead of the upcoming National HIV Health Sector Symposium. Speaking to reporters, the National Coordinator of NASCP, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, noted that the country has made commendable progress over the past decade in addressing HIV transmission from mothers to children and improving treatment access for infected children.

Dr. Bashorun highlighted that the number of children living with HIV in Nigeria has dropped significantly—from over 100,000 in 2023 to about 67,000—reflecting the impact of targeted interventions and increased access to care. He further disclosed that more than 90% of HIV-positive pregnant women identified across the country now receive antiretroviral therapy, marking a leap from 34% coverage in 2023 to 63% in 2024.

The scale-up of HIV care delivery points has also been instrumental, expanding from 6,000 to over 40,000 functional service sites through the hub-and-spoke model. To support early diagnosis and treatment in newborns, the government deployed 85 mPIMA point-of-care testing machines and increased the number of GeneXpert platforms from 103 to 141.

In line with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, NASCP has introduced more child-friendly antiretroviral formulations, including Dolutegravir (DTG) 10mg, and adopted multi-month dispensing to ensure better treatment adherence among children. As a result, paediatric ART coverage has surged from 30% in 2023 to 74% in 2024, with plans underway to incorporate tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based regimens into national protocols.

To tackle late-stage diagnosis in children, the federal government has also launched a Paediatric Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) care package in six high-burden states—Gombe, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Anambra, and Benue. The intervention aims to improve survival rates by providing comprehensive management of advanced cases.

Dr. Bashorun also underscored the importance of continued partnerships with development donors, state governments, and implementing agencies to consolidate gains and ensure sustainable HIV responses. In a strategic move toward integration, a Paediatric/Adolescent TB-HIV Framework is being developed to streamline service delivery for co-infections.

He revealed that future efforts will include integrating HIV services into State Health Insurance Schemes, a step aimed at boosting long-term access and equity in paediatric and adolescent care.

The forthcoming National HIV Health Sector Symposium is expected to serve as a platform for policymakers, medical professionals, and stakeholders to strengthen coordination and accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission.