In commemorating this years World AIDS Day (WAD), the Nigerian government has launched a series of groundbreaking policies aimed at fortifying the nation’s response to HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs.
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These policies, part of the National HIV/AIDS Viral Hepatitis and STIs framework, are poised to significantly reduce the spread of these diseases and effectively manage their impact.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate who launched the policies said it include the National Guidelines for Viral Hepatitis Treatment and Care 2023, emphasizing the importance of targeted and effective treatment strategies.
“Additionally, Information, Education, and Communication materials for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) demand creation and scale-up, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for PMTCT scale-up, multilingual jingles for PMTCT scale-up, and Information, Education, and Communication materials for HIV self-testing scale-up were introduced, showcasing a holistic approach to healthcare”, he said.
Prof. Ali Pate stressed the urgency of redoubling efforts to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. He urged sustained and consolidated actions, aligning with the global strategy for HIV, with the ultimate goal of eliminating HIV from Nigeria by 2030.
The Minister highlighted the pivotal role communities play in this collective endeavor and expressed gratitude for the substantial support received from the United States Government, the Global Fund, the United Nations system, and various organizations.
The Minister reassured the commitment of the Nigerian government to work collaboratively with partners in addressing challenges affecting the quality of HIV/AIDS services.
