HIV/AIDS deaths and new infections are declining nationally – NACA
Approximately 1.8 million Nigerians are believed to be affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), as the nation commemorates World AIDS Day (WAD) today.
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) claims that fatalities and new cases of HIV/AIDS are decreasing at a national level, unlike trends observed in other regions of the globe.
The agency stated that HIV does not lead to death any longer, provided individuals are aware of their status. Over N18 billion has been invested by the Federal Government in HIV-related capital ventures over a span of just three years.
Furthermore, an investigation by The Guardian reveals that those living with HIV still incur certain costs for ostensibly “free” treatments offered by the Federal Government nationwide, despite claims from AIDS advocates that global delays in gaining access to affordable long-acting, injectable HIV medications could result in lives being forfeited.
The theme for WAD 2022, “Equalize,” focuses on eliminating the inequalities that have hindered the fight against the illness.
As per the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), 650,000 lives were lost to AIDS in 2021, 1.5 million individuals became infected with the virus, and an estimated 38.4 million (33.9-43.8 million) people were living with HIV by year-end, with 25.6 million of these individuals residing in Africa.
Moreover, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) disclosed that 110,000 youths under the age of 19 perished last year due to AIDS-related issues, leading to a cumulative total of 2.7 million young individuals living with HIV, when combined with the 310,000 newly infected.
In its latest global overview concerning children, HIV, and AIDS, UNICEF warned that while some advances have been made in HIV prevention and treatment over the past three years, numerous regions have yet to return to pre-pandemic service coverage.
During a recent interview, Dr. Gambo Gumel Aliyu, director general of NACA, remarked: “We estimate around 1.8 million, and we are analyzing our data to ascertain the precise count of those who are currently active, meaning they are alive and receiving medication. These are the individuals we track because we are aware of their condition, they are alive, registered with us, and they understand they are HIV positive.
“Those not alive but still in our records will be removed, and ultimately, we will acquire a revised figure. We are diligently working on our data to arrive at that precise number, yet our estimate remains under two million people currently living with HIV in Nigeria.”
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has urged national leaders to ensure there are no additional infections, stigma, or discrimination, especially against young girls.
“Our data indicates that out of the 7,600 new infections in young people in 2021, 6,800 were females, while fewer than one million were males,” stated Dr. Echey Ijezie, Country Program Director for AHF Nigeria.
“By investing more in girls, we secure their future, their future partners, and the lives of the children they may bear.
“This is a clarion call to Nigeria as a nation; we have made significant strides in the HIV response, we have solid plans, now we need to implement them with our resources, vigor, and dedication,” she added.
The theme, Equalize to end AIDS, aims to give everyone the chance to realize their health rights, HIV prevention, and treatment access, as stated by Dr. Takpa Koubaguine, Strategic Information Administrator, UNAIDS.
Dr. Daniel Ndukwe, NACA’s deputy director of prevention and social behavioral change communication, mentioned that the agency is currently reviewing the National Strategic Plan of the nation. According to Ndukwe, the new plan surpasses the previous one and provides more insightful approaches. He also highlighted that it addresses how HIV impacts women.
He emphasized that due to biological factors and socio-cultural influences, women are more vulnerable to HIV.
According to NACA, HIV remains a significant health concern in Nigeria, with 41% of new cases arising in youths aged 15 to 24. This assertion was made in collaboration with the MOSAIC initiative.
The Generation Negative (Gen-N) campaign, which seeks to galvanize the nation’s 43.2 million youths aged 15 to 24, released a statement yesterday containing this data. The campaign aims to inspire young people to utilize HIV prevention, treatment, and care services.
“It is within our capabilities to halt the spread of HIV,” asserts Ndukwe, “but we cannot expect young people to do it alone when they face shame for visiting healthcare facilities, adhering to medications, or purchasing condoms.”
Ndukwe encouraged youth to become Gen-N heroes by leveraging available HIV prevention and treatment services and motivating their peers to remain HIV-negative and lead fulfilling lives.
The NACA DG, also an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, commented on the statistics regarding deaths and new infections, stating: “We are gathering this data, and one observation over the last three years is that the number of fatalities due to HIV/AIDS is decreasing, and the number of new HIV infections is also on the decline.”
The epidemiologist addressed the proposed HIV allocation from the 2023 budget: “For the past three years, our capital allocation has hovered around N6 billion, which encompasses all the activities we conduct related to HIV prevention and treatment, raising awareness, coordinating stakeholders, and monitoring and evaluating programs and interventions nationwide.”
According to Aliyu, NACA is striving to enhance access to anti-retroviral baby (ARB) services within the pediatric demographic and to bolster services for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
Responding to a report revealing that HIV patients continue to pay ‘hidden’ expenses for anti-retroviral (ARV) medications that should be free, the NACA leader said: ‘We are aware of this; the costs vary from state to state and hospital to hospital; these are termed user fees. To assist in waiving user fees, we have been collaborating with the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), stakeholders, and several partners, including the Global Funds for AIDS, TB, and Malaria, along with state authorities. We are advocating for states to abolish user fees and the registration and consultation expenses that individuals with HIV must incur.
“However, the tests we provide for monitoring treatment progress are complimentary. Some of the tests we offer to initiate individuals on treatment are also without cost, but certain tests are not free and depend on the patient’s situation; some individuals may require extra tests, while others may not. Thus, the additional assessments mandated by doctors are costs that patients should cover, but those fees that apply universally and we deem unnecessary can certainly be alleviated by the states. We are collaborating with the states to see these fees waived, and some have commendably taken action in that direction,” he explained.
When asked whether Nigeria will reach the goal of eliminating HIV by 2030, Aliyu responded: “The reality is that HIV no longer results in death, as long as people are aware of their condition. We can assist them in managing it within their bodies without it being visible physically or infecting others. That signifies the advancements made; this
is what we are striving for to eradicate AIDS.
The day you cease to identify individuals with HIV based on their appearance, the day you inquire and are informed that for the past year nationwide, there has been no documentation of anyone perishing in any facility due to HIV, the day you overhear or notice individuals advocating for HIV services because they no longer dread the stigma and discrimination that was once tied to HIV/AIDS, then HIV/AIDS will have concluded or be on the verge of conclusion.”
The manifestation of HIV, which leads to AIDS, can undoubtedly be eradicated before 2030, and this is the goal for which NACA is diligently working, he added, mentioning that HIV may persist as long as there is no remedy for the virus.
While HIV remains a significant public health concern that affects millions of individuals globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that the worldwide HIV response is at risk. The report states that resources have diminished, advancements toward HIV objectives have stagnated in recent years, putting millions of lives in jeopardy.
WHO outlines several failures that contributed to the escalation and persistence of HIV as a global health issue, including division, inequality, and neglect of human rights.
Consequently, WHO is encouraging global leaders and citizens to boldly recognize and tackle the disparities obstructing progress in the battle against AIDS. They are also urging them to equalize access to essential HIV services, particularly for children and at-risk groups and their partners, such as men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, drug users, sex workers, and incarcerated people.
UNICEF Associate Chief of HIV/AIDS, Anurita Bains, mentioned: “Although children have consistently lagged behind adults in the AIDS response, the stagnation witnessed in the past three years is unprecedented, placing far too many young lives at risk of illness and death.”
Eradicating AIDS in children and adolescents
This is in addition to a treatment gap that already exists and is widening among adults and children, adolescents, and pregnant women. “With each passing day without advancement, over 300 children and adolescents succumb to AIDS,” the statement declares.
Even though they constitute only 7% of all HIV-positive individuals, children and adolescents accounted for 17% of AIDS-related fatalities and 21% of new HIV infections last year.
Eliminating AIDS in children and adolescents will remain an elusive goal unless the root causes of inequality are addressed, UNICEF warns. Longer-term trends are still optimistic, the snapshot reveals.
In a similar context, the proportion of pregnant women with HIV who received lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART) increased from 46% to 81% in a single decade.
While there are fewer youngsters living with HIV overall, a widening treatment gap between children and adults persists.
Children’s ART coverage in UNICEF’s HIV-priority nations was 56% in 2020 but decreased to 54% in 2021.
The reduction resulted from various factors, including the pandemic and other global crises that have intensified poverty and marginalization.
Only 52% of children living with HIV worldwide had access to treatment, a figure that has scarcely increased in recent years.
Conversely, coverage among all adults with HIV stood at 76%, over 20 percentage points higher than that of children.
Moreover, there was an 81 percent disparity between HIV-positive pregnant women and children.
Additionally, the share of children under the age of four who have HIV and are not receiving ART surged to 72% last year, matching the level from 2020.
Because pregnant women were neither diagnosed nor treated, there were over 75,000 new infections in children in 2021.
Unfeasible for the World to Overcome AIDS – UNAIDS
In reaction to the new report, Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, stated that perpetuating patriarchy will render it impossible for the world to conquer AIDS. She highlighted the importance of addressing the intersecting injustices faced by women.
She commented: “What global leaders must accomplish is crystal clear. In one term: Equalize. Equalize access to rights, services, the best science and medicine. Equalizing will not only assist the marginalized but will benefit everyone. In areas heavily burdened by HIV, women subjected to intimate partner violence are up to 50 percent more likely to contract HIV.
“Across 33 nations from 2015-2021, only 41 percent of married women aged 15-24 could make their own choices regarding sexual health. The only effective roadmap to ending AIDS, achieving sustainable development goals, and ensuring health, rights, and communal prosperity is a feminist roadmap. Women’s rights organizations and movements are already at the forefront of this courageous work. Leaders need to bolster them and learn from them.”
