Health
140,000 Children Under Age 14 Living With HIV in Nigeria -UNAIDS
MOH, NACA Launches PMTCT and Pediatric AIDS Acceleration Plan Committee
The Federal Ministry of Health, in partnership with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has launched the Prevention of Mother-to-child transmission(PMTCT) and Pediatric AIDS Acceleration Committee at a landmark event in Abuja.
In 2021, national and state-level consultations led to the development of Nigeria’s Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children Action Plan which was designed to scale up PMTCT efforts and pediatric HIV addressing the coverage gaps but despite the comprehensive strategy and accompanying financial commitment, PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage has remained critically low.
In her welcome remarks, the Director General of NACA, Temitope Ilori noted that Nigeria faces a critical challenge in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and ensuring access to care for children living with HIV.
She described the gathering as one that is to provide an oversight to the PMTCT and Pediatric HIV programme implementation while supporting the government-mandated structures to ending HIV and AIDS among children.
“Our epidemiological estimates say 140,000 children under 14 are living with HIV as of 2023, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths in children.
Current PMTCT and pediatric HIV coverage remain alarmingly low at less than 33%, far short of the 95% target”, she stated.
The NACA DG believes that the infamous narrative of Nigeria’s contribution to the global burden of PMTCT and pediatric HIV can be changed and longs to see that no child is born HIV positive in Nigeria.
Also at the event, The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Coordinator Mrs. Funmi Adesanya noted that the US Government through the President’s Emergency plan for AIDS relief has invested more than $8.3bn over the last 21 years to eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030 here in Nigeria.
“These resources have been invested in health systems strengthening, health products including ARVs and rapid test kits, Human Resources and surge staff.
“We commend the leadership of the Government of Nigeria for its vision to addressing this urgent issue because it is an emergency.
“No child in Nigeria should be born with HIV and the U.S. Government is committed to our partnership to ensure that this is a reality.
Now is the time and we believe we have the right leadership represented to achieve this goal”, she stated.
In a goodwill message delivered by the first lady of Kwara State and the chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrasaq, she commended the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa for giving light foot to the efforts of the government in bridging this gap through the establishment of the committee and believes that such will be put in place at sub national levels as well.
“As critical stakeholders the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum is committed to supporting this drive with a view to achieving this important national milestone.
“As you may be aware the Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum is an organization deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of Nigerians.
The forum has consistently championed and supported initiatives that promote healthcare, education, cancer awareness, and nutrition, as well as those addressing sexual and gender-based violence, drug abuse among women and children, and climate change in our respective states.
“With this event today it is however time to scale up these sensitization exercises by coming out and amplifying the message towards ensuring that AIDS is eliminated from our communities by the year 2030”, she said.
Other guests at the landmark event includes the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare Prof. Mohammed Ali-Pate, the Honourable Minister for State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Tunji Alausa, the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairperson Nigerian Governor’s Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq ably represented by the Director General Nigerian Governor’s Forum, Dr Lateef Shittu, the Chairperson Commissioners of Health Forum Dr Oyebanji Filani, the Chief Executive of the State AIDS Control Agency Forum Dr Adedayo Adegbolu, the National Coordinator National AIDS, Hepatitis and STI Control Programme Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, the UN Country Director Dr. Leo Zekeng, the National Coordinator Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria Mrs. Esther Hindi, the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Executive Secretary Mr. Tajudeen Ibrahim, the Country Director, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Echey Ijezie, Chief Executives of Partner Organizations and other Senior Government Functionaries
Health
Chinese Scientists Developing Pregnancy Robots
Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.
Scientists in China are developing the world’s first life size ‘pregnancy robot’ capable of carrying a baby to term and giving birth.
Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded IT Kaiwa Technology, said the robot will replicate the entire process from conception to delivery where the sperm and egg will be fertilised inside the robot then it will grow to term 9 months later.
The robot aims to offer a pregnancy alternative for women who wish to avoid the burdens of pregnancy and the dramatic changes it makes to woman’s body.
The robot will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose.
It is expected to be released next year, with a selling price of around US $13,555.
Feminist activists have been strongly opposed to the use of artificial wombs because it could lead to the ‘end of women’.’
The real question now is, will men, once the artificial womb is perfected, want to keep women around? How would the baby feel the emotions and the bond between mother and child?
(Facebook)
Health
Customs intercept expired pharmaceuticals at Apapa port
Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The Nigeria Customs Service seized seven containers of expired drugs and prohibited medications, three containers of expired food items, particularly margarine, and three containers of absolutely prohibited used clothing at the Apapa port.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, estimated that the duty paid values of the seizures made on Monday, arms included, was more than N10 billion.
Adeniyi explained that on receipt of credible information, a 40ft container with registration number, MRSU6407089, was jointly examined by officers of the NCS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The container was adjudged clean, but a secondary search by the two agencies revealed the concealment of 202 cans of Colorado loud, that is, Canadian drugs.
Health
Chikungunya: Could It Happen in Nigeria?
WHO’s Technical Lead for Arboviruses, Dr Diana Rojas-Alvarez said the warning was being sounded early to give countries a fighting chance.
The World Health Organisation, WHO, on Monday warned of a global resurgence of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease, following major outbreaks in La Réunion, Mayotte, and Mauritius since March.
However, Nigeria is not yet on the list of countries currently battling chikungunya outbreaks, but public health experts warn that the nation’s environmental conditions make it highly susceptible.
The outbreaks, WHO said, have now spread to South and East Asia, mirroring patterns seen 20 years ago when a wave that began in the Indian Ocean swept across continents, infecting nearly half a million people.
“This further spread is highly concerning because it follows a trajectory we’ve seen before-one that can quickly escalate into a global public health emergency,” WHO stated in its advisory.
The agency also confirmed that the virus continues to spread in endemic regions, with the Americas already reporting over 200,000 cases this year alone.
WHO said that about 5.6 billion people worldwide now live in areas suitable for the spread of Aedes mosquitoes-the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus which transmit chikungunya along with other diseases such as dengue and Zika.
Chikungunya has been detected or transmitted in 119 countries globally. In communities with little or no immunity, WHO warned that the disease can infect up to three-quarters of the population in a short period, severely straining healthcare systems.
WHO’s Technical Lead for Arboviruses, Dr Diana Rojas-Alvarez said the warning was being sounded early to give countries a fighting chance.
“We are raising the alarm early so countries can prepare early through surveillance, mosquito control, and public awareness-to avoid overwhelming health services,” she explained
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