TO FAST-TRACK ENDING AIDS EPIDEMIC BY 2030
By Vincess Okushi
The federal government has launched a National Hiv/Aids Viral Hepatitis, STIS Policy document to help strengthen the existing framework for action to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS STIS and Viral Hepatitis as well as manage their impact.
The National Guidelines for Viral Hepatitis Treatment and Care 2023, was launched by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Ali Pate during the commemoration of this year’s World Aids Day in Abuja.
The minister while commending the giant stride made towards the elimination of Hiv and Aids spread said. Nigeria with the current HIV treatment coverage above 90% is well on course to meet this goal Currently. Nigeria has 1.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) on treatment out of the 19. Million PLHIVS.
According to him, HIV/AIDS prevention activities and treatment must be reinvigorated if the country and the world at large are to stay on the fast track of ending the AIDS epidemic by the year 2030, by doubling efforts at reducing new HIV infections, mobilizing additional resources for HIV prevention, redesigning and strengthening prevention program activities developing and reviewing policies that will strengthen prevention effort and bringing up innovations on HIV prevention programs and services that will reach the target audiences, especially the key population at the community levels.
The theme of the 2023 World AIDS Day is “Let Communities Lead is an urgent call to action urging communities to take charge in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The minister added that the time to stop the spread of HIV by redoubling efforts is now, and urged stakeholders to consolidate efforts to terminate HIV/AIDS by the year 2030 in line with the global strategy for HIV.