A 50 percent reduction in the HIV prevalence level in Nigeria is a signal of the progress by Africa’s most populous country in the fight against the epidemic, a report released on Thursday by the government has shown.
The prevalence of the epidemic in Nigeria dropped to 1.4 percent among adults aged 15-49 years, from a prevalence level of 2.8 percent, according to the report, ‘Unveiling of Nigeria HIV/AIDs Indicator and Impact Survey’. Nigeria has recorded a steady progress on access to treatment for people living with HIV, with the adoption of a test-and-treat policy in 2016.
This revelation came as President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed that Nigeria, the United States government and others in 2018 invested a total of $90 million in the fight against HIV epidemic in Nigeria.
“The result of this survey, which is the largest of its kind in the world, is a welcome development. It shows that our various contributions were not in vain as the survey has promoted availability of accurate and reliable data that will further enhance our fight against HIV/AIDs in Nigeria,” Buhari said. Announcing the decline in the number of persons living with HIV from 3.1 million to 1.9 million, the president said his administration would ensure easy access to comprehensive healthcare services and promote proper handling of HIV eradication programme in states. He added that there was need for the private sector to partner with the government. For the first time, the end of AIDs as public health threat by 2030 is truly in sight for our country. I will urge all of us not to relent but to increase the momentum, let us work collectively and push for the last mile,” he said.
The new data differentiate HIV prevalence by state, indicating an epidemic that is having a greater impact in certain areas of the country. The South-South zone of the country has the highest HIV prevalence, at 3.1 percent among adults aged 15-49 years. HIV prevalence is also high in the North Central zone (2.0 percent) and in the South East zone (1.9 percent), but lower in the South West zone and the North East zone, each having a prevalence level of 1.1 percent, and the North West zone (0.6 percent).
Buhari said that there are fewer people living with HIV in the country than previously estimated and launched the Revised National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework 2019-2021, which will guide the country’s future response to the epidemic.
“I urge all of us not to relent but to increase the momentum. Let us work collectively and push for the last mile,” he said.
The data from the Nigeria National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) are based on a revised and enhanced methodology. The survey provides a clearer understanding of Nigeria’s HIV epidemic and shines a light on progress and the remaining gaps and challenges.
Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS, welcomed the new estimates and said the improved understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic would allow Nigeria to better reach people living with HIV and people at higher risk of acquiring HIV.
“Let us use the results of this survey to better focus our delivery of HIV prevention, treatment and care services to the people in the greatest need and ensure that Nigeria gets on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030,” Sidibe said.
At the national level, viral suppression among people living with HIV aged 15-49 years stands at 42.3 percent (45.3 percent among women and 34.5 percent among men). When people living with HIV are virally suppressed, they remain healthy and transmission of the virus is prevented.
“The Nigeria National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAISS) findings provide Nigeria with an accurate national HIV prevalence measure of 1.4 percent. NAIIS also showed we are able to effectively provide antiretroviral treatment,” said Isaac Adewole, Nigeria’s minister of health.
He said the survey had enabled the ministry to get the accurate documentation of the actual number of persons living with HIV, adding that the survey presented the cases from the different regions in the country. “Moving forward, the result of this survey will inform more programs towards the control of HIV AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, and we are confident that with these data we will achieve a HIV free generation,” Adewole added.
Sani Aliyu, director general, National Agency for the Control of AIDs (NACA), lauding the success of the survey process said it was aimed at assessing the prevalence of HIV and other related health indicators. He added that the data collection was done within a short time (July and December 2018). Aliyu said the survey had provided a clear sense of what was needed to ensure total elimination of HIV in Nigeria, adding that it is important that all persons living with HIV get into treatment and achieve viral suppression.
“To halt the epidemic, we need to act fast. As government working with our partners, we have what it takes to support persons who are HIV positive, to provide treatment, and promote long and healthy living for them,” he said. He announced that the Federal Government initiated the first HIV/AIDs programme in 2018 and had made a tremendous progress.
“All participants found to be HIV positive have been linked to a health facility to help them access HIV services. Benue state has received the highest rate of intervention so far, and with this survey we are closer to our goal in this fight against HIV in Nigeria,” Aliyu said.
ANTHONIA OBOKOH & CYNTHIA EGBOBOH
