15,000 PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR FROM AIDS IN NIGERIA

Wed 20 November 2024:

Nigeria records at least 15,000 deaths related to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) every year despite efforts by the government to curb the spread of the deadly disease in the most populous African country, a local official said Thursday.

Temitope Ilori, head of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), told reporters during an advocacy and sensitization program in Abeokuta, the capital of the southwestern state of Ogun, that more than 22,000 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks the body’s immune system at the early stage of AIDS, have been reported so far this year.

“Approximately 140,000 children between the ages of 0 to 14 are living with HIV,” Ilori said referring to the surge in the prevalence rate in the country.

The official said that Nigeria continues to face a significant challenge in preventing mother-to-child transmission of the disease, lamenting lapses in the national response to the widespread occurrence of the infectious disease.

In 2023 alone, Nigeria recorded 75,000 new HIV infections and 45,000 HIV/AIDS-related deaths, she added, citing official data.

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AIDS in Africa

AIDS remains a significant public health challenge in Africa, home to nearly two-thirds of the global population living with HIV. Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter of the epidemic, with countries like South Africa, Eswatini, and Botswana experiencing the highest prevalence rates. Over 25 million Africans live with HIV, and more than 400,000 die annually from AIDS-related illnesses.

The spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa is driven by multiple factors, including limited access to healthcare, stigma, poverty, and cultural practices. Women and young girls are disproportionately affected due to gender inequality, lack of education, and vulnerability to gender-based violence. Additionally, misconceptions about the disease and stigma discourage people from getting tested or seeking treatment.

Efforts to combat AIDS in Africa have seen progress. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs have expanded significantly, with over 70% of those living with HIV now accessing treatment in some countries. Prevention strategies, such as promoting condom use, male circumcision, and education campaigns, have reduced transmission rates.

Despite these gains, challenges remain, including reaching underserved rural areas, addressing social stigmas, and ensuring sustainable funding for programs. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, continuing education, and global partnerships are vital to ending the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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