By Aderogba George
The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has called for increased support and enrolment of people living with HIV/AIDS into the National Health Insurance Scheme.
This move aims to reduce the prevalence and spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among children.
Dr Tangkat Holse, Regional Manager of IHVN in the Federal Capital Territory, made this call at the 2024 World AIDS Day commemoration in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event, themed “Take The Right Path: Sustain the HIV Response and Stop HIV Among Children to End AIDS,” was organised by the FCT Agency on the Control of AIDS and supported by IHVN.
Holse emphasised the significance of World AIDS Day, citing the global and national reduction in HIV/AIDS prevalence.
According to him, the current focus is on controlling the spread of HIV among students aged ten and below.
To achieve this, Holse stressed the importance of people knowing their HIV status to access healthcare services or maintain an HIV-negative lifestyle.
He appreciated the government’s efforts in leading the control of HIV/AIDS and emphasised the need for adequate enrolment of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) into the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr Dan Gadzama, Acting Director of the Public Health Department in the FCT, highlighted the enormous social impact of HIV/AIDS on personal lives, families, and the country’s economic well-being.
Gadzama noted that the FCT had over 300 HIV delivery services across public and private sectors, offering free HIV tests and Anti-Retroviral Treatment for those who test positive.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of these services, particularly the Preventing Mother to Child Transmission programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted various stakeholders, including Youth Rise, ARFH, and the International Research Centre for Excellence.
Highlights of the occasion included the distribution of sewing machines and grinding machines to some women, as well as free HIV screening.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA