By Stanley Onyekwere
As Nigerians commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its resolve to intensify and sustain efforts to end the prevalence of HIV/AIDS epidemic especially among children in the territory.
Also, the FCTA reaffirmed commitment to ending stigma and discrimination, which remain significant barriers to care, even it stressed the need to intensify efforts to ensure that every child, woman, and man living with HIV has access to quality care and support.
Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat of FCTA, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, made this assertion yesterday while briefing the media on activities to mark the 2024 World AIDS Day themed: “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children”, in Abuja.
Fasawe, in her address delivered on her behalf by Dr. Olubenga Bello, Ag. Director General, Hospital Management Board (HMB), noted that to address pediatric HIV, the FCT has deployed unique interventions, including; mentor mothers who serve as linkage escorts for pregnant women, guiding them through care pathways, as well as training unconventional caregivers, such as traditional birth attendants, on the importance of facility births, prophylaxis, and early infant diagnosis (EID) with samples taken within 72 hours of life.
She added that other interventions deployed were community initiatives like the Mothers’ Love Party and the AP3 Initiative enhance support for PMTCT programs; and expanded access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention, ensuring that individuals without HIV remain free of the disease.
Furthermore, Fasawe explained that this year’s theme calls for renewed focus on addressing pediatric HIV and safeguarding the rights of everyone affected by the disease, as it emphasizes the critical need for intensified case finding, linkage to care, and strategies to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).
“As we commemorate World AIDS Day 2024, we reflect on the remarkable strides we have made, recognize the challenges that remain, and renew our resolve to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Together, we will “Take the Right Path” to sustain our HIV response, stop HIV among children, and create a healthier, brighter future for all.
“Our health sector response has been strengthened by a comprehensive network of 122 service delivery points (SDPs) offering ARV’s across the six Area Councils in the FCT. There are other 285 conventional sites and 37 unconventional sites, which provide decentralized, community-based care to ensure services reach even the most remote populations.
“The FCT’s decentralized model ensures that no one is left behind, enabling communities to access quality care and support close to home”, she stated.
According to her, the FCT AIDS, STI, and Viral Hepatitis Control Program (FASCP) and the FCT Agency for the Control of AIDS (FACA) have worked closely with the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCP) and the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), and implementing partners such as the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Mothers2Mothers (M2M), the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), and YouthRISE.
“Together, we have prioritized key populations, women, children, and vulnerable groups, ensuring that every person diagnosed with HIV receives the care, dignity, and support they deserve.
“From scaling up PMTCT services to expanding pediatric care and decentralizing service delivery, these efforts continue to drive the FCT’s progress in meeting and exceeding national targets.
“While we celebrate these achievements, the work is far from complete. Nigeria’s high burden of pediatric HIV demands sustained efforts to identify cases, link individuals to care, and prevent new infections”, she stressed.
Our correspondent reports that as part of the planned activities to mark the day will be a Road Walk, starting from GSS Area 10 Garki, to the Old Parade Ground, also in Area 10 Garki.
World AIDS Day, marked annually on the 1st of December, to further unite efforts, increase awareness, support those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and honour the memory of those lost.
