NACA launches initiative to make Taraba HIV-free

Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to combating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

She made this declaration on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission and Pediatric HIV/AIDS Accelerated Committee in Jalingo, Taraba State.

Dr. Ilori reassured the public that the government would ensure consistent availability of HIV drugs across all hospitals in the country. She highlighted that the Ministry of Budget and National Planning is providing enhanced funding to guarantee a steady supply of both HIV medications and testing kits nationwide.

This strategic move aims to ensure that all Nigerians have access to the necessary resources for prevention, testing, and treatment of HIV.

The NACA Director General also urged the newly inaugurated committee to focus its efforts on making Taraba State HIV-free. She noted that mother-to-child transmission remains one of the major routes of HIV transmission in the country and emphasized the importance of targeting this issue through effective prevention programs.

Dr. Ilori stressed that the committee’s primary goal should be to reduce the number of new HIV infections, particularly among infants.

Furthermore, Dr. Ilori underscored the need for collaborative efforts with various partners, including civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and local governments, to implement widespread awareness campaigns. These campaigns are crucial for increasing knowledge about HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, as well as reducing stigma and discrimination.

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She also highlighted the involvement of interfaith groups as a key component of the initiative. These groups will play an important role in sensitizing women to HIV testing, particularly during antenatal and postnatal care, which is a critical time for preventing mother-to-child transmission.

Dr. Ilori commended Taraba State for its ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, recognizing the state’s proactive stance despite its previous high HIV prevalence rate in the North East region. She acknowledged that while Taraba faced significant challenges, the state’s current initiatives are contributing to the national effort to curb the epidemic.

Dr. Bodiya Boma, Taraba’s Commissioner for Health, outlined the state’s ambitious goal of reducing its HIV prevalence rate from 2.9 percent to a significantly lower figure.

He stressed that Governor Agbu Kefas has prioritized funding for the PMCT programs, with the goal of eradicating HIV in the state by 2030. Governor Kefas’s support is pivotal in ensuring the success of these initiatives, and the state’s focus on prevention and treatment programs is seen as a model for other states.

Mr. Timothy Wubon, the Chairman of the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency, expressed his full support for NACA’s initiative. He assured that the state would mobilize the necessary resources to fund HIV/AIDS projects and programs.

Wubon emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between local and national bodies, stating that only through collective effort can Nigeria achieve its goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS.

The establishment of the PMCT and Pediatric HIV/AIDS Accelerated Committee is seen as a crucial step towards achieving a significant reduction in new HIV infections, especially in children, and the eventual goal of an HIV-free Taraba State.

With strong leadership, targeted interventions, and collaborative partnerships, the state is hopeful in its fight against HIV/AIDS.

NAN