The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has announced that over 7,000 women have participated in its Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) programme nationwide, with exceptional results.
Speaking at the institute’s monthly media chat on Tuesday, Prof. Oliver Ezechi, Director of Research at NIMR, revealed that 5,717 women gave birth at the institute’s health facility, with less than one per cent rate of HIV transmission from mother to child.
“In the past four years, no mother enrolled in the programme has transmitted HIV to her child during or after delivery,” Prof. Ezechi said.
He attributed the programme’s success to the application of evidence-based practices comparable to those used in high-income countries.
“NIMR launched this initiative to ensure healthy births among HIV-positive women and reduce the rate of paediatric HIV in Nigeria,” he explained.
“Sadly, many women living with HIV are still turned away from health facilities once their status is discovered. We made it our mission to change that narrative.”
Ezechi noted that the institute’s proactive approach — including scientific protocols tailored to Nigerian conditions — has led to a dramatic reduction in paediatric HIV cases.
“Our paediatric HIV clinic is now almost empty, a clear sign that our prevention model is working effectively,” he said.
Beyond PMTCT, Prof. Ezechi also shared updates on other ongoing HIV-related research at NIMR, including:
- Development of youth-friendly HIV self-testing tools
- Integration of hypertension care into HIV treatment systems
These studies aim to broaden access, enhance patient-centred care, and support long-term health outcomes for people living with HIV in Nigeria.
The media chat forms part of NIMR’s commitment to transparency and public engagement in its research efforts.
NAN