HIV/AIDS: NGO tasks FG to remove barriers to healthcare services

On May 24, 2024

A Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) Gem-Hub Initiative, has tasked the Federal Government to strive hard to eliminate barriers to accessing healthcare services toward combating the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Mrs Oyeyemi Pitan, the Executive Director, Gem-Hub Initiative, said this in an interview with the Newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

Pitan was reacting to the report from the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey/National Immunization Coverage Survey (MICS/NICS) by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

She said that while Nigeria had made significant strides in increasing HIV awareness and treatment access, much more needed to be done.

She said that persistent disparities in healthcare access and outcomes underscored the need for continued investment in health infrastructure to effectively combat HIV/AIDS and related health issues.

“There should be deliberate efforts to eliminate all forms of barrier to accessing healthcare services, particularly for adolescents and young people, taking into consideration that this group of people are heterogeneous and have healthcare needs including HIV Prevention and Care.

“According to recent data from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), while more Nigerians are aware of HIV and have access to antiretroviral treatment, gaps in healthcare access still exist, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

“These disparities hinder the country’s efforts to reduce HIV transmission and improve health outcomes for those living with the virus. We’ve made progress, but it’s not enough. We need to focus on strengthening our health infrastructure and ensuring that education about HIV/AIDS reaches every corner of the country. Only then can we hope to address the persistent healthcare disparities,” she said.

She said that improving public health in Nigeria required a multifaceted approach.

“This includes investing in modern healthcare facilities, training healthcare professionals, and implementing comprehensive health education programs that target both urban and rural populations. Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS is closely tied to its broader development goals,” she said.

She added that addressing the gaps in healthcare access was crucial not only for combating HIV/AIDS but also for improving overall public health and achieving sustainable development.

She said that efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria were part of a broader global initiative to end the epidemic.

“The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include a target to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. To achieve this, countries must ensure that no one is left behind, especially the most vulnerable populations,” she said.

She called for increased government funding and international support to bolster Nigeria’s health system, stressing that without addressing the root causes of healthcare disparities, the fight against HIV/AIDS would remain an uphill battle.

Efforts to combat HIV/AIDS are aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure health and well-being for all.

This includes reducing the incidence of major diseases and ensuring access to quality healthcare.

NAN/Wumi