The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, has reassured Nigerians that HIV medications are readily available across hospitals nationwide.
Dr. Ilori made this declaration on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Pediatric HIV/AIDS Accelerated Response Committee in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State.
She noted that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, is firmly committed to increasing budgetary allocations for HIV/AIDS control to ensure a consistent supply of antiretroviral drugs and testing kits.
“The government is fully committed to reducing the prevalence of HIV to the barest minimum and will continue to sustain efforts to make Nigeria HIV-free,” she said.
Dr. Ilori urged the newly inaugurated committee to work diligently to make Taraba State HIV-free, emphasizing the significant role of mother-to-child transmission in the spread of the disease.
According to her, NACA is intensifying collaboration with various partners to extend HIV/AIDS awareness and response efforts to every corner of the country. She called for a united front from all stakeholders to eradicate the virus.
She also highlighted the importance of including interfaith groups in the committee, stating that their involvement would help sensitize women on the need for HIV testing during antenatal and postnatal care.
Commending Taraba State for its proactive stance, Ilori praised the state’s efforts in addressing its ranking as the state with the highest HIV prevalence in the North-East region.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Bodiya Boma, Taraba State Commissioner for Health, reiterated the state government’s resolve to lower the prevalence rate from the current 2.9 percent. He said that health remains a top priority under the current administration, second only to security.
Dr. Boma expressed optimism that with Governor Agbu Kefas’ support and funding, the state would achieve total eradication of mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2030.
Also at the event, Pharm. Oliver Wubon, Chairman of the Board of the Taraba AIDS Control Agency (TACA), lauded NACA for its initiative. He affirmed Governor Kefas’ readiness to mobilize resources for HIV/AIDS interventions, challenging the committee to ensure that no child in Taraba is born with HIV.