Health

140,000 Children Under Age 14 Living With HIV in Nigeria -UNAIDS

Published

8 months ago

July 11, 2024

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

JUST IN: NAFDAC uncovers counterfeit drugs, expired condoms repackaged for sale at Lagos market

Published

2 days ago

February 21, 2025

Charles Flames

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has made alarming discoveries in its ongoing enforcement operation at the Idumota open drug market in Lagos.

The agency uncovered unregistered narcotics, counterfeit GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) medicines, and vaccines improperly stored, with some shockingly found in toilets.

This was revealed in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. The statement reads, “In the ongoing enforcement operation at the Idumota open drug market, NAFDAC has uncovered more alarming products, including unregistered narcotics, counterfeit GSK medicines, and vaccines stored in toilets.

“During an operation on Tuesday, officials also seized expired USAID-donated condoms, which had been repackaged and sold under the name “Kiss Condom.”

So This Happened (Ep286) Review The Growing Fear Of Deportation Faced By Nigerians In The US, Others

The statement added, “More from the Idumota enforcement exercise, NAFDAC officials have seized, “Banned drugs such as Analgin, Vaccines meant for cold chain storage, Oxytocin for maternal health, improperly stored outside the cold chain and donated medical products.”

NAFDAC has vowed to continue its crackdown on counterfeit and substandard medicines, emphasizing the grave health risks posed by these illicit products. The enforcement operation remains ongoing as officials work to dismantle illegal drug networks and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Health

Kano gov signs bills to establish disease control, security agency

Published

5 days ago

February 18, 2025

Charles Flames

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law the establishment of the state’s Disease Control Agency and the State Security Agency.

The governor signed the bills on Tuesday during the State Executive Council meeting held at the Kano Government House.

Additionally, the governor approved amendments to the law governing the Kano State Transport Agency.

The signing followed the Kano State House of Assembly’s approval of the bills.

During the same Executive Council meeting, Governor Abba honored students from science and technology secondary schools who excelled in various scientific and technological fields.

Among the awardees were Jafar Sani Muhd, who secured first place from Gwale Local Government Area, and Aminu Ado Abubakar, who came second, also from Gwale. Mustapha Nasir Mukhtar, from Bichi Local Government Area, secured third place.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf presented the students with various gifts, including computers.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, also presented to Governor Yusuf the 2024 Kano State Government’s work plan.

Furthermore, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received honorary awards from various organizations and institutions, including one from the Bishop Idahosa Foundation.

Health

36 per cent pregnant women suffer anaemia in Adamawa – UNICEF

Published

1 week ago

February 14, 2025

Charles Flames

Thirty-six per cent of pregnant women in Adamawa State, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, suffer from anaemia, a condition that poses serious risks to both the mothers and their babies.

Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Bauchi, made the disclosure in Yola, explaining, “Adamawa State’s malnutrition crisis is further worsened by alarming child nutrition statistics: 48.6% of children are stunted, 7% are wasted, and over 80% experience child food poverty.”

She said to combat this crisis, UNICEF has provided 4,290 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) to the Adamawa State government, assuring that the supplements will benefit approximately 85,000 children, helping to prevent malnutrition and improve child survival, growth, and development.

Addressing issues such as stunting, wasting, and anaemia, procured through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) mechanism, SQ-LNS contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals, as well as protein and energy.

According to her, Adamawa was among the first states in Nigeria to adopt the CNF, contributing N100 million in 2023, which was matched by UNICEF.

Felix Tangwami, Adamawa State’s Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, attributed the high malnutrition rates to insecurity, which has limited farmers’ access to their lands and reduced food availability.

He lauded Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for prioritizing the social services sector, particularly healthcare, and highlighted the state’s investment of N100 million in 2023 for food supplements, which has been increased to N300 million this year.

Dr. Bashir Sulaiman, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, expressed optimism that the N300 million matching fund would significantly improve child health in the state.

With UNICEF’s contribution, this will translate into N600 million worth of supplements, ensuring better nutrition and well-being for thousands of children.