Nigerian HIV experts
revealed at a scientific symposium to mark this year’s World AIDS Day,
organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, in collaboration
with
Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Lagos branch revealed that 2.9 million
people living with HIV/AIDS out of 3.4 million Nigerians diagnosed last year
are not receiving treatment needed to suppress the infection.
In her submission,
representative of the Population Council Abuja, Dr. Sylvia Adebajo noted that
only 500,000 people are currently on treatment, while the 2.9 million largely
men, serve as reservoir for the spread of HIV.
“Men do not go to hospital
as much as women so they are the most difficult to reach. Those at higher risks
include; women, homosexuals, men who engage with drugs and those who have sex
with female sex workers.” Adebajo said the attitude of testing people and
letting them go without follow up needs to be stopped, and more people,
particularly men needs to be reached with treatment.
Director-General of NIMR,
Prof Innocent Ujah regretted that despite that effective available for the
diagnosis and clinical management, the AIDS epidemic still claims an estimated
two million lives each year, of which about 270, 000 are children. “The multi –
year theme since 2012 has been “getting to zero with the three main sub-themes
of zero new infections, zero deaths from AIDs – related illnesses and zero
discrimination.
Ujah who lauded the UNAIDS
90 – 90 -90 initiative said it was designed to have 90 percent of all people
diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained ARV therapy and 90- percent of
all people receiving ARV will have viral suppression. “With 90 percent of those
on treatment having viral suppression, there will be a drastic break of
transmission of new infection and end the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030.”
He said NIMR will be
conducting an outreach in Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos state to
increase awareness on HIV/AIDS as well as enhance HIV counselling and testing.
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