As Nigeria celebrates Children’s Day today, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, called for an end to mother-to-child HIV transmission, saying that no newborn deserves to be born with the disease, especially in an era marked by advanced technology and innovations.
In a statement signed on Monday by the agency’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Toyin Aderibigbe in commemoration of the 2024 Children’s Day, she said the day serves as a reminder of the invaluable treasure children represents and the immense responsibility the country bears to ensure their health, happiness, and well-being.
She underscored the importance of addressing a crucial health issue affecting the youngest citizens – the transmission of HIV from mother to child. Ilori said, “On this special day, we reaffirm our commitment to the goal that no child should be born with HIV. “As we honor our children today, we must also commit to protecting them from preventable diseases, including HIV. No child should begin life with the burden of HIV when it is within our power to prevent it. By strengthening Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission services, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.”
The NACA boss noted that Nigeria had made significant progress in reducing the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV but acknowledged that there was still much work to be done. She stated that the agency was dedicated to ensuring that every pregnant woman living with HIV received the care and treatment necessary to prevent transmission to her child.
“Our goal is clear: to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria. This requires the collective effort of government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, and communities. “By providing antiretroviral therapy to pregnant women living with HIV, promoting safe delivery practices, and supporting appropriate breastfeeding methods, we can protect our children from HIV,” Ilori added.
