Health experts have identified insecurity, COVID-19 and poverty as major barriers preventing access to essential HIV treatment in Nigeria.
The experts noted that though poverty has long been a major obstacle to HIV treatment, COVID-19 and insecurity had further worsened the problem. They spoke during the commemoration of the 2022 World AIDS Day, and urged the Federal and state governments to take drastic actions to tackle the problem.
World AIDS Day is celebrated annually every December 1 to raise awareness, remember those who have passed on, and celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Equalise’.
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Dr. Sule Abdullahi, said: “During the COVID-19 era, you know the whole country was locked down for more than a month. So, many hospitals were shut because of fear of the disease. So, those who are on drugs, especially HIV drugs, both women and children, and even adults had no access to the drugs.
“They had nowhere to get the drugs, they couldn’t go to the hospital, everywhere was locked. Unfortunately, with HIV drugs, once you are less than 95 per cent compliant, the virus can easily develop resistance and you have to use newer drugs. These newer drugs are more expensive and have more side effects and are difficult to access.
”After COVID-19, it took almost a year for the whole HIV programme to come back to its normal shape. So, that has affected the programme.”
The consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist who is also an expert on HIV/AIDS in women said insecurity had really affected a lot of women and children living with HIV from having access to HIV treatment services.
The maternal health expert said, “The other issue is insecurity. You can see the security situation in the country. In some areas, you cannot just move about anyhow and some of the healthcare facilities are far away from the rural and remote areas.
“This has affected a lot of women and children. They won’t be able to go to the hospital anytime they feel like going because of fear of insecurity.
“They can be kidnapped and demanded to pay a ransom. Sometimes, in areas where Boko Haram has been established, you can have an attack anytime. So, there is fear.
“Around 2014, 2015, and 2016, the access to HIV care by pregnant women who are HIV positive in Nigeria reached 54 per cent but one of the recent figures that I have seen is about 34 per cent. So, you can see the effect”
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS says 1,619,133 of the 1.9 million Nigerians living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus are now on treatment.