Government urges pregnant women to go for HIV test
The Chairman of Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Gbola Adetunji, on Sunday, urged pregnant women to register for Antenatal Care and ensure they undergo an HIV test to determine their HIV status.
He gave this advice while addressing journalists during a campaign organised to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day in Ibadan, the state capital of Oyo state.
Adetunji emphasised that Nigeria contributed significantly to the global HIV burden, particularly among children.
He said, “According to UNICEF, in 2020, Nigeria accounted for a substantial number of new child HIV infections worldwide, with an estimated 21,000 new infections, the highest globally.
“Nigeria has the third-largest HIV burden in the world, after Mozambique and South Africa, with an HIV prevalence of 2.9% among pregnant women.”
The chairman further urged them to undergo HIV testing at least twice during pregnancy, during antenatal care and labor, to quickly determine their status.
“If tested positive, proper antiretroviral drugs can be administered to prevent the unborn child from contracting the virus.
“Ending AIDS requires prioritising and engaging everyone who is living with, at risk for, or affected by HIV, including vulnerable and marginalized populations such as children, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who use drugs, sex workers, and people in prisons and other closed settings. This is essential to ensure an effective and sustainable response to HIV that honours the right to health.”
Speaking on this year’s World AIDS Day themed, “Take The Right Paths: Sustain HIV Response And Stop HIV Among Children,” Adetunji said OYSACA had outlined a week-long of activities involving various stakeholders in the state to commemorate the day.
He underscored the importance of not stigmatising people living with chronic diseases but rather supporting them and showing them love.
The chairman stressed that discrimination, stigma, and exclusion remain major challenges faced by those affected by the disease.
“People living with HIV/AIDS are often denied access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities as they are also facing discrimination in their homes, schools, and communities. This not only hinders their ability to live a fulfilling life, but it also increases their vulnerability to new HIV infections.”
“By protecting everyone’s right to health and reducing new infections, we can achieve an AIDS-free generation and ensure the sustainability of the HIV response.”
He admonished the public to take advantage of the free HIV testing available during the commemoration of World AIDS Day to get tested and work towards ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
