Dr. Aboje said this at the
opening of a three-day communication strategic review workshop by Journalists
Alliance for Prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV (JAPiN) in
Calabar, Cross Rivers State, recently.
While stressing on the
need for Federal Government to take charge of the programme, the National
Coordinator, NASCAP, decried the country’s dependence on foreign donors to
eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV.
He further attributed
over-reliance on foreign donors to be responsible for the lack of coordination
in the HIV Health Sector Response, saying this result in duplication of
efforts, parallel programme, among others.
Dr, Aboje said: “Over-dependence on external donors is
also responsible for lack of coordination in the HIV Health Sector Response
resulting in duplication of efforts, parallel programme, wastage of resources
with little or no impact on the patients.
“Instead of Government to
dictate, guide and supervise donor agencies and implementing partners, the
reverse is the case. They operate with minimum regards to stipulated guidelines
or agreements with the Federal Government. In summary, ‘HIV Programme seems hijacked
by international donors agencies.”
Aboje stated that
currently, 380,000 children are HIV positive in the country, adding that
Nigeria is committed to the goal of eliminating new HIV infections among
children and keeping their mothers alive by 2020. He also said that the
90-90-90 target has received a boost in Nigeria with the new guidelines of test
and treat.
The National Coordinator
was optimistic that there is a renew hope of viral suppression that would
provide the potency to stop further transmission as a prevention tool while prolonging the lives of the infected
persons.
“The country has come a
long way in its effort to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly in PMTCT.
Beginning with the pioneer 11 PMTCT-provider
tertiary health facilities in 2002, the country now has 7,265 health
facilities providing PMTCT services at all levels of the health care system.”
Aboje, however, stated
that Nigeria’s target on eliminating new HIV cases in children among other
things for 2018 was to ensure 50 percent of HIV-exposed children have access to
HIV prophylaxis treatment and early infant diagnosis services.
He also declared that
funding, inadequate political commitment, and funding at state and LGA levels,
weak health infrastructure as well as inadequate engagement of the private
health sector as some challenges against eliminating new HIV cases in children.
Prompt release of 100
percent budget for AIDS control, prevention, and treatment for the relevant
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would make a difference in the
lives of people living with the disease, Dr. Aboje said.
