The National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP) of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has disclosed that it has achieved a significant milestone, with 74% of children living with HIV in Nigeria now receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The National Coordinator of the programme, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, while briefing the media at a press conference ahead of the National HIV Health Sector Symposium in Abuja, said the programme prioritised efforts in Paediatric HIV and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) through policy, systems strengthening, innovation, and partnerships.
The symposium themed, “Advancing PMTCT and Pediatric Treatment Coverage in Nigeria.
Basorun said, “Nigeria has significantly reduced vertical transmission rates through sustained PMTCT scale-up, with over 90% of identified HIV-positive pregnant women receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prevent transmission, up from 34% in 2023 to 63% in 2024.
“The country has expanded service delivery points (SDPs) from 6,000 PMTCT sites to over 40,000 functional SDPs, offering HIV testing and care for pregnant women and children using the Hub-and-Spoke model.”
He also disclosed that NASCP has deployed 85 mPIMA machines and expanded GeneXpert platforms from 103 to 141 sites, improving Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and prompt ART initiation in newborns.
“Guided by WHO recommendations, NASCP has integrated child-friendly ART formulations, including DTG10mg, and facilitated multi-month dispensing (MMD) for improved adherence and retention, increasing ART coverage from 30% in 2023 to 74% in 2024. Plans are ongoing to introduce TAF into the programme.”
“NASCP launched a Paediatric Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) Package in six states with partner support, addressing mortality among children with late-stage HIV through diagnostics, prophylaxis, and mentorship.”
“Index testing among biological children of HIV-positive adults is now mainstreamed across supported states, and efforts to embed paediatric HIV screening into RMNCAH, nutrition, immunisation, and TB clinics are yielding promising results.”
“NASCP is committed to continued partnership with donors and implementing agencies to improve access to PMTCT and paediatric ART, and is developing a robust Paediatric/Adolescent TB-HIV Framework.”
“The programme is also working on active case finding and integration into State Health Insurance Schemes for long-term sustainability.”