PUNCH
The National Coordinator, National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, Dr Adebobola Bashorun, says by 2030, Nigeria should be moving towards epidemic control of HIV.
He said this at the end of pilot activity dissemination of the Strengthening HIV Self-testing in the Private Sector project of the Society for Family Health, a Non-Governmental Organisation, on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Bashorun, Nigeria has, in the past 30 years, recorded valuable progress in the reduction of HIV prevalence.
He said, Basically, from 2010 until date, the government, with the help of partners, has done a lot on prevention and treatment.
“We have been able to escalate our information. So I think these things have worked. So by 2030, we should be moving towards a form of epidemic control.
“Epidemic control does not mean there is no disease, but it means your system and everything are controlling the disease to a level that you can manage and sustain the progress you have made over the years,” he said.
He said that one of the strategies employed included an increase in treatment coverage. Bashorun also said that, from a scientific perspective, the more people were treated, the less they could infect others.
“So if somebody is positive now and the person is on treatment, the probability that the person will infect you is very low because the viral load that causes the virus would have been crushed.”
About the self-testing kit, he said that the emphasis is on testing, as knowing one’s status is the first step to getting care.
According to him, the programme gives one the ability to test oneself without having to go to a facility.
Bashorun said that its availability over-the-counter, like pregnancy test kits, would ensure that people knew their status early enough.
The Managing Director, SFH, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, said that promoting HIV self-testing alongside other crucial elements was important.
He was represented by Mr Kenechukwu Eruchalu, Deputy Managing Director, Operations and Service Delivery of SFH.
Idogho said that it would create a consumer centric ecosystem and increase access to and uptake of HIV self-testing.
“I am proud to report that we have made significant strides in reaching our target populations, specifically sexually active males and females ranging between the ages of 18 and 34, as well as men aged 35 and above.
“Our implementation sites in Lagos and Abuja have witnessed remarkable progress. Through community mobilisation efforts, we have successfully reached over 58,000 individuals, creating awareness and driving engagement.
“Additionally, our community activation initiatives have impacted the lives of over 50,000 individuals.
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