HIV: Experts Seek Improved PMTCT Services To Curb Infection Among Nigerian Children
CHIOMA UMEHA Lagos Following increasing HIV infection among Nigerian children, experts have called for improved access to Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS services across the country, to curb the trend. Decrying the menace, an expert in medicine, Dr. Ijaodola Olugbenga said that three in four Nigerian pregnant women living with HIV lacks access to PMTCT services. Ijaodola who is the Assistant Director, National PMTCT Lead, National AIDS and STIs Control Program (NASCP), Federal Ministry of Health who made this revelation at an ongoing three-day PMTCT media dialogue in Calabar, Cross River State, noted that this means that 63 percent do not access PMTCT. He said, "Three in four pregnant women in Nigeria are not captured during antenatal care. Nigeria contributes to 22,000 new HIV infections among children. Only 28 percent of HIV exposed infant had access to Early Infant Diagnosis in 2020." He pointed that there are key issues why Nigeria ha