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Tag: World AIDS Day

  • Osun marks World AIDS Day

    Osun marks World AIDS Day

    Osun State has commemorated World AIDS Day 2025 with a series of impactful, community-driven activities aimed at renewing commitment, raising awareness, and strengthening action toward ending AIDS as a public health threat.

    The event was themed, “Overcoming Disruptions; Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response.”

     Partners and stakeholders across the state delivered coordinated interventions that touched every segment of the population.

    The commemoration started with a vibrant road walk, featuring representatives from the TB, HIV, and Malaria programs, Network of people living with HIV( NEPWHAN), implementing partners, civil society groups, and community volunteers. Participants marched through major streets across Osun State, distributing educational materials and engaging residents on the importance of early testing, treatment adherence, and preventive practices.

    The road walk served as a powerful symbolic action to amplify visibility, reinforce solidarity, and mobilize community participation in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.

    A major highlight of the event was the rollout of comprehensive Integrated Testing Services, bringing essential health screening directly to the communities. These services included:

    Cutting-edge PDX diagnostic machines were deployed to conduct real-time screening for tuberculosis—particularly children and vulnerable groups. The use of these devices allowed for quicker identification of presumptive TB cases and immediate linkage to further evaluation.

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    Free, confidential HIV testing was offered to the general population, with special attention to pregnant women to strengthen the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) efforts. Trained counselors were available onsite to provide pre- and post-test counseling, ensuring individuals understood their results and next steps.

    Rapid malaria testing was also conducted for adults and children, supporting early diagnosis and reducing risk of complications. This integration reflected the state’s commitment to a holistic approach to public health.

    Throughout the activities, health educators and volunteers led awareness sessions addressing HIV prevention, stigma reduction, treatment adherence, benefits of knowing one’s status, and healthy lifestyle practices. These sensitization efforts targeted the general population, including youth, market women, transport unions, and rural communities. The interactive sessions helped demystify misconceptions around HIV, TB, and malaria, while encouraging individuals to take advantage of the free testing services available.

    The commemoration was coordinated by the Osun State Agency for the control of HIV in collaboration, State Aids Control Programme ( SASCP), Osun State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP), Osun State Malaria Elimination Programme (SMEP) with implementing partners.

  • World AIDS Day: Niger records 34,969 people living with HIV/AIDS

    World AIDS Day: Niger records 34,969 people living with HIV/AIDS

    • State accounts for lowest prevalence in Northcentral

    No fewer than 34,969 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Niger State, with 30,542 attaining World Health Organisation- virologically suppressed threshold.

    Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Abdullahi Imam, made this known at a press conference to commemorate the World AIDS Day.

    He said between January 1 and October 30, this year, a total of 208,492 clients were counselled, tested and received results, adding that out of these, 2,642 clients tested positive and were receiving treatment.

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    Imam said the prevalence of HIV stands at 0.7 per cent, according to a survey, making the state one of the lowest in the Northcentral and below the national prevalence.

    “We are committed to ensuring that HIV/AIDS will no longer be a disease of public health importance by 2030 in line with national and global targets.

    “Currently, the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS receiving treatment in Niger State (Including key populations) stands at 34,969. Additionally, a total of 195,115 pregnant women who attended ANC were counselled, tested and received results, out of which 86 were tested positive and linked to treatment services,” he stated.

  • Kaduna records huge HIV prevalence drop – Survey

    HIV Prevalence in Kaduna has dropped to 0.6%, according to findings of the Kaduna State AIDS Indicator Survey (KADAIS).

    National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey-Plus (NARHS-Plus 2012), had placed Kaduna in third highest position, behind Rivers and Taraba, with about 9.2 prevalence rate.

    KADAIS is the first state household-based HIV/AIDS survey conducted in Nigeria.

    Report of the findings was formally made available on December 1, 2018, by the State Ministry of Health and Human Services and Kaduna State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KADSACA), as part of activities to commemorate the World AIDS day in Kaduna.

    According to the report, KADAIS was conducted in all 23 Local Government Areas in Kaduna State from January through April 2017. Trained survey staff collected information about HIV knowledge and risk and offered home-based HIV counseling and testing with immediate return of results.

    Additional laboratory tests, e.g., CD4 count and viral load, were conducted to further characterize the HIV epidemic in adults and children and results were provided as soon as they were available. The survey had a response rate of 93.9% among those interviewed and 97.9% among those tested for HIV.

    The survey defines HIV prevalence, as the percentage of people living with HIV (PLHIV), in Kaduna State was 0.6%.

    The report states that, “prevalence of HIV infection among children ages 0-14 years was 0.1% and prevalence among people ages 15 years and older was 1.1% (0.7% among males and 1.4% among females).

    “KADAIS assessed the unmet need for HIV services, critical to achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 treatment target in Kaduna State. The 90-90-90 treatment target cascade is a call to meet the following targets: 90% of PLHIV know their status, 90% of PLHIV who know their HIV status receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 90% of PLHIV receiving ART will have viral suppression. (Viral load suppression is defined as having less than 1,000 HIV RNA copies per ml of plasma among HIV-positive adults).”

    Findings from KADAIS show 34% of PLHIV knew their status before the survey, 95% of PLHIV who knew their status received ART and 84% of those on ART had viral suppression.

    Executive Secretary KADSACA, Dr. Mark Anthony, in a brief remark at the presentation, said, ‘’two out of three people with HIV do not know their HIV-positive status. It is important that people know their status. We need to halt the epidemic, and as a State Government, we have what is required to support persons who are HIV-positive emotionally and psychologically, to provide treatment, to protect their families and to help people live long and healthy lives’’

    Commenting on the outcome of the survey, Dr Paul Manya Dogo, Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Service noted that, “KADAIS data offer critical evidence to inform Kaduna State HIV programs and investments for progress to be sustained and built upon. Though the HIV prevalence in Kaduna State is low, and we are doing well on antiretroviral treatment for those people who are aware of their HIV-positive status, with 3 out of every four people achieving viral suppression.

    “The epidemic, however, continues because of low awareness of HIV-positive status, which needs to be improved by routine testing and continuous sensitization. We need everyone to get tested, know their status and get treatment.”

    The survey was funded by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government, in partnership with Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP).

  • Obaseki assures on more support for people living with HIV/AIDS

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured persons living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the state of his administration’s support, noting that relevant agencies set up to attend to their needs have been revamped to ensure effective service delivery.

    The governor said this in commemoration of the World AIDS Day, marked globally by the World Health Organisation (WHO), on December 1, every year.

    Obaseki, who assured that the state government is embarking on far-reaching reforms in the health sector to provide for the basic needs of Edo people, said that the Edo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (EDOSACA) has been repositioned to meet its mandate to people living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

    According to him, a number of reforms are being undertaken to ensure a reduction in the number of people living with HIV/AIDs.

    He added that the Edo Health Care Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP), caters to the health care needs of different segment of the state’s population.

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    “As part of our support for those living with HIV/AIDS, we have reconstituted the board of EDOSACA so that they can live up to their mandate. We are providing support to the agency to play its roles in a number of our health intervention programmes. This will ensure that they are well positioned to provide support to those who live with the ailment.”

    On the theme for this year’s commemoration, ‘Know Your Status,’ the governor urged residents in the state to use the opportunity for free testing by EDOSACA to know their status, and stressed that it was pertinent that the disease is detected early so that the damage to the immune system can be managed.

    He added, “EDOSACA is currently leading a sensitisation campaign that will help people know their status. This is important because of the need for affected persons to detect the virus early and take advantage of the support from the agency to manage the ailment.”

  • Corps members mark AIDs Day

    Corps members mark AIDs Day

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ogun State have held a health sensitisation procession to commemorate the World AIDS Day. The Corps members, who are members of anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Sexually-Transmitted Infections Community Development Service (CDS) group, held the rally in Agbara to sensitise residents of their host community on the need to stop the spread of the HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

    The event with the theme: HIV free generation, featured a procession around the Agbara district, where the Corps members enlightened residents on various ways by which HIV could be contracted, and the need to know their HIV status.  There was also counselling session and free HIV test for the residents.

    On how she benefited from the programme, one of the residents, who identified herself as Mama Olumide, said: “The initiative is a welcome development, because it has enlightened us on the danger of the spread of HIV and how the disease could be prevented. We live our normal lives without knowing our HIV status. But with this programme, majority of the residents who benefited from this initiative now know their status.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs Kemi Okesanjo, emphasised the need to sustain the programme. “Many are still unaware of this programme and still don’t know their HIV status. As much as I commend the Corps members for this event, I also want to suggest that the programme should be sustained, because it would help to curb the spread of HIV.”

    The president of the CDS group, Grace Alademomi, said the sensitisation was created as a cardinal programme of the group because of the need to prevent the spread of HIV and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in rural areas. She hailed members of the CDS group for their collaboration in ensuring the success of the programme.

  • World AIDS Day: Let’s fight the scourge

    World AIDS Day: Let’s fight the scourge

    By Moses Emorinken

    World AIDS Day is observed every 1st of December. It is a day dedicated to spreading awareness about the dreadful Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ( AIDS ).

    The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is “Right to health”. The World Health Organization highlights the need for all 36.7 million people living with HIV and those who are vulnerable and affected by the epidemic, to reach the goal of universal health coverage.

    Today, we join the World Health Organisation ( WHO ), United Nations ( UN ) and other global organisations to campaign for global public health.

    We also remember those who have lost their lives to the disease and commiserate with those that have lost friends, colleagues and family members.

    The battle against this disease is not a one-man fight but a collective battle to reduce its effect to the barest minimum.

    Whether we like it or not, we all share a common destiny, and as such must contribute our quota to securing and creating a safe and healthy society that we can all be proud of.

    Recent statistics from The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) reveal that in 2016, Nigeria had 220,000 new HIV infections and 160 000 AIDS-related deaths.

    There were 3,200,000 people living with HIV in 2016, among whom 30% were accessing antiretroviral therapy.

    Among pregnant women living with HIV, 32% were accessing treatment or prophylaxis to prevent transmission of HIV to their children.

    An estimated 37,000 children were newly infected with HIV due to mother-to-child transmission. Among people living with HIV, approximately 24% had suppressed viral loads.

    Also, globally, UNAIDS statistics revealed that:

    In 2016 (June 2017) an estimated:

    1. 20.9 million [18.4 million–21.7 million] people were accessing antiretroviral therapy

    2. 36.7 million [30.8 million–42.9 million] people globally were living with HIV

    3. 1.8 million [1.6 million–2.1 million] people became newly infected with HIV

    4. 1.0 million [830 000–1.2 million] people died from AIDS-related illnesses

    Major Populations most affected by HIV in Nigeria are:

    1. Sex workers, with an HIV prevalence of 14.4%.
    2. Gay men and other men who have sex with men, with an HIV prevalence of 23%.
    3. People who inject drugs, with an HIV prevalence of 3.4%.

    Nigeria’s HIV epidemic affects all population groups and geographic areas of the country. It is the second largest epidemic globally.

    We need to begin to take decisive actions as individuals, organisations and government to tackle this pervasive disease threatening our collective survival. The extent to which we can extinguish this scourge depends heavily on each of us.

    Although Since 2010, new HIV infections have decreased by 21% and AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 6%; there is still need for further research to improve the current available treatment plans.

    Difference between HIV and AIDS:

    HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus leads to infection and weakens the immune system.

    It is pertinent to know that HIV can be transmitted from one person to another. On the flip, AIDS is a condition that is acquired only after a person has contracted the HIV infection, and it is the final stage of the HIV infection.

    Mediums of HIV transmission:

    1. Unprotected sex (anal or vaginal).
    2. Sharing contaminated sharp objects like needles, syringes etc. Also, the use of unsterilized clippers for barbing and shaving hairs can be a source of contracting the virus.
    3. Receiving unsafe injections, blood transfusions, tissue transplantation etc.

    Treatment of HIV:

    HIV can be suppressed by the administration of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

    It cannot be cured at the moment, but its effect can be weakened, thereby strengthening the individual’s ability to resist infections.

  • U.S. Assures of steady funding for HIV/AIDS

    U.S. Assures of steady funding for HIV/AIDS

    The United State has assured Nigeria of steady funding for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and has appealed for increased domestic funding to combat HIV/AIDS.

    The declaration was made by Ms Shirley Dady, the Coordinator of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    Dady said that the organisation is expecting its funding in Nigeria to be constant, adding that “this year we have a budget of $400 million for the HIV/AIDS response”.

    “We are looking at ways where we can be more efficient with the resources so that we can increase the number of people we place on treatment every year.

    “We are hoping that the government of Nigeria can also contribute and increase funding in a meaningful way to conquer the epidemic,’’ she said.

    She said the U.S. government is committed to working with Nigeria to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target which will allow us to get ahead of the epidemic.

    The coordinator said: “We are looking to diagnose 90 per cent of people on the HIV; place 90 per cent of the HIV-positive people on treatment.’’

    She added that the ambitious UNAIDS target also aimed at reducing the viral load by 90 per cent to reduce HIV transmission in the Nigeria.

    She said there is a new technology that encourages private testing of HIV; the kit will hopefully be available in Nigeria soon.

    Besides, Dady said stigma and discrimination which affects the gains in controlling HIV/AIDS by 2020 and ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.

    The official added that there is no reason to discriminate among people living with the virus, stressing that HIV is not different from other non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

    “If one is found to be positive to HIV; he can be placed on the ART and to reduce the viral load and ability to transmit the virus, and it can also help one to remain healthy.

    “Back in the early days of HIV it was seen as a death sentence, people did not find out how to live with the virus until when it is very late and many of them just passed away.

    “Today when you found out that you are positive you start ART and live positively,’’ she said.

    Dady said this year’s World AIDS Day is set to think about our colleagues who are HIV positive and those who had passed away due to the epidemic.

    She added that day would also be used to commemorate and think about those people who are now able to live positively based on the new advances and treatment.

    Earlier, Stuart Symington, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, said the U.S. government has supported Nigeria to put 762,000 people on antiretroviral therapy.

    He added that 12,665,000 Nigerians were supported by the U.S. government to know their status.

    However, he appealed to the Nigerian government to re-strengthen the healthcare system to augment the support of its partners.

  • 18m people lack access to HIV treatment 

    18m people lack access to HIV treatment 

    Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

    As the world marks this year’s World AIDS Day, the world Health Organisation (WHO) has released new guidelines on HIV self-testing to improve access to and uptake of HIV diagnosis.

    According to a new WHO progress report, lack of an HIV diagnosis is a major obstacle to implementing the Organisation’s recommendation that everyone with HIV should be offered antiretroviral therapy (ART).

    The report revealed that more than 18 million people with HIV are currently taking ART, and a similar number is still unable to access treatment, the majority of which are unaware of their HIV positive status.

    Today, 40 percent of all people with HIV (over 14 million) remain unaware of their status. Many of these are people at higher risk of HIV infection who often find it difficult to access existing testing services.

    “Millions of people with HIV are still missing out on life-saving treatment, which can also prevent HIV transmission to others,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. “HIV self-testing should open the door for many more people to know their HIV status and find out how to get treatment and access prevention services.”

    HIV self-testing means people can use oral fluid or blood- finger-pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting. Results are ready within 20 minutes or less. Those with positive results are advised to seek confirmatory tests at health clinics. WHO recommends they receive information and links to counselling as well as rapid referral to prevention, treatment and care services.

    HIV self-testing is a way to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV and represents a step forward to empower individuals, diagnose people earlier before they become sick, bring services closer to where people live, and create demand for HIV testing. This is particularly important for those people facing barriers to accessing existing services.

    Between 2005 and 2015 the proportion of people with HIV learning of their status increased from 12 percent to 60 percent globally. This increase in HIV testing uptake worldwide has led to more than 80 percent of all people diagnosed with HIV receiving ART.

     

  • NACA plans HIV prevention conference

    NACA plans HIV prevention conference

    Ahead of the World AIDS day, over 250 participants have registered for the upcoming national scientific conference on HIV prevention process billed for Abuja on 29th and 30th of this month.

    The conference organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) is part of activities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2016, under the theme Hands on for HIV prevention.

    According to Head, corporate communications Unit, NACA, Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe ‘Hands on for Prevention’ signifies the fact that Nigeria’s national response aligns with the present global direction of increasing HIV prevention efforts.  The conference aims at showcasing the achievements, discussing the lessons learnt and seeking to set the pace for tackling prevention gaps.

    Mrs. Aderibigbe said all intending participants are encouraged to register online through the Conference’s website: http://www.hivprevention2016.com.ng/ because, “ the Nigeria HIV Prevention Conference 2016 will bring together a range of experts to advance knowledge, present new research findings, as well as promote and enhance science and community collaborations.

    According to her, it will also be a platform for discussions on the development of new strategies for addressing HIV, especially in the area of HIV prevention.

     

  • World AIDS Day: ‘Spread news, not virus’

    World AIDS Day: ‘Spread news, not virus’

    The Anti Aids Club of the African Church Model College, Ifako-Ijaiye in Lagos State engaged fellow pupils of their school in awareness and sensitization on the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS to commemorate the World Aids Day.

    Activities including football matches, debate and speeches, among others were used to sensitise the pupils on eradicating and creating a world free of HIV/AIDS.

    The president of the school’s Anti Aids Club, Precious Aina said during the course of her tenure, joint efforts had been made with fellow members to come up with ideas that would inspire safety from the disease.

    She said: “We played a football match and as a member of the club, I was trained to play safe during the match to symbolize ‘safe play’ in our interactions with the opposite sex. I have also been educated to think outside the box, as I am teaching my colleagues now, of ways to achieve zero infection of the disease and achieve HIV/Aids free world by learning the precautions.

    A parent, Mrs Omowumi Johnson encouraged the pupils to believe in themselves and be confident as a measure of facing any challenge in life.

    “HIV can only be eradicated if the students also practice what they preach by “spreading the news and not the virus,” she said.

    A member of the club, Subomi Arowolo, shared the benefits of being a member of the Anti-Aids Club.

    “I have learnt to always remember that making the choice and choosing the right from wrong are all up to me. I have also become more aware of myself and how important I am in the world,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Somori Model College won the debate, themed: ‘Who plays a major role in eradicating HIV/Aids: Teenager or adult?’

    Their prize was presented to them by an alumnus and ex- president of the Anti-Aids Club of African Church Model College, Pricilla Brown, who charged the pupils, saying: “It is time to break the silence on sex education. It is our duty to spread the news. Everybody needs to be enlightened and we should join hands to achieve a world free of HIV/AIDS.”