The National Agency for
the Control of AIDS (NACA) has applauded the role of the society towards ending
the HIV epidemic in Nigeria.
The Director General
of NACA Dr Aliu Gambo made this known while speaking at the press conference to
kick start the World Aids day tagged” Communities make the difference” in
Abuja.
The world AIDS day which
is marked worldwide every December 1 has been observed since 1988.
In 2018, in Nigeria,
the HIV prevalence was 1.4% among the population (15-49 years) with prevalence
in key population which is higher.
According to the 2014
IBBSS, prevalence among female sex workers is 19.4% ,MSM is 23% and IDU is
3•4%. Globally , in 2018 , key populations and their sexual partners account
for 54% of new HIV infection.
However, the treatment
as prevention has been seen as a welcome development in HIV response and is
central to achieving pillars 1 and 2 of HIV prevention 2020 road map.
The U =U is a human
rights issue , people living with HIV PLHIV have a right to access treatment
and attain undetectable viral load . The U=U campaign encourages people with
HIV to seek treatment bringing the HIV community one step closer to achievement
of UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 target by 2020.
Emphasizing on the
role of the community, Gambo called on the Nigerian Government, the United
nations and every member of the community to join the rest of the world in
commemorating the world AIDS day, to make a difference,by recognising the
special roles the community play and continue to play globally, nationally and
locally.
Commending the efforts
of the community, the Director General also noted that despite the dwindling
funding, the community effort still increases and promises to recognise them
this year. He further encouraged them to know their status by getting tested
and doing something about it.
Earlier, Senator
Chukwuka Utazi in his good will message said ” it is important that members of
Senate and House committee on health, work hand in hand with the Federal
ministry of Health and especially NACA, that the campaign transcends beyond the
states and local Government areas and communities and every social gathering to
ensure the fight against HIV is a foregone conclusion in Nigeria.
Similarly UNAIDS’
representative Erasmus Morah, reiterated the need to have access to vulnerable
and marginalised communities while encouraging investors to access the
communities to encourage them on the HIV treatment and prevention.
He also talked about
the ARV based prevention and the right to quality treatment.
