The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, has announced plans to commence the local production of HIV test kits and antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Ilori, the initiative is expected to begin before the end of 2025 as part of the government’s strategy to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2030.
She made this known on Friday during the inauguration of the Kwara Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and Paediatric ART Acceleration Committee in Ilorin.
Dr. Ilori highlighted several key measures aimed at strengthening HIV response efforts.
These include increasing enrollment in the National Health Insurance Scheme, mobilizing resources, enhancing advocacy, and supporting vaccine research and development.
She emphasized that the newly established committee is focused on ensuring a future free from AIDS and sustaining the progress made in HIV response.
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Providing statistical insights from UNAIDS 2023, Dr. Ilori revealed that approximately 140,000 children aged 0-14 are currently living with HIV.
Additionally, the country records 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths annually.
“Despite progress, PMTCT and paediatric HIV coverage remains below 33%, far from the 95% target.
She noted that the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children, launched in 2021 with full financial backing, has yet to achieve optimal coverage.
While commending Kwara State’s HIV prevalence rate of 0.8%, which is below the national average of 1.4%, she pointed out the persistent disparities, particularly affecting women more than men.
“Women are disproportionately affected (1.3%) compared to men (0.4%), and some local governments require targeted interventions to maintain and further reduce prevalence rates,” she added.
Dr. Ilori stressed that eliminating mother-to-child transmission is a critical goal and called for collaborative efforts to compile a comprehensive list of children born to HIV-positive parents to facilitate nationwide paediatric ART access.
She also addressed concerns about Nigeria’s reliance on foreign donor funding for HIV programmes, particularly in light of the recent 90-day suspension of foreign aid.
While she reassured that HIV services remain unaffected, she underscored the importance of government-led sustainability initiatives.
To mitigate dependence on external funding, she outlined government strategies, including integrating HIV services into the national health system, strengthening government-led structures, and ensuring timely release of state and local government funds for HIV programmes.
Additionally, she emphasized the role of civil society organizations in advocacy and service delivery and production.
Kwara State’s Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the committee’s success.
As the Chairman of the Kwara State AIDS Control Agency, he expressed confidence that mother-to-child HIV transmission would soon be eliminated through the committee’s efforts and production of test kits.
