The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, has revealed that approximately 30,350 individuals are currently undergoing treatment for HIV/AIDS in the state, with children making up two percent of the total figure.
Speaking during a press briefing organized by the Ogun State Agency for the Control of AIDS to mark this year’s World AIDS Day, Coker emphasized the state’s commitment to eliminating HIV/AIDS by 2030. The event, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was themed “Take The Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children.”
“HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, affecting an estimated 1.9 million people as of 2020. In Ogun State, about 30,350 people are currently on HIV treatment, and children constitute about 2% of this population,” Coker disclosed.
She added that the state is prioritizing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission while ensuring that children living with HIV have access to adequate care and treatment.
“To achieve zero cases of HIV/AIDS by 2030, we must focus on sustainable funding for HIV programs and address social determinants like poverty, stigma, and gender inequality, which fuel the spread of the virus,” the commissioner stated.
Highlighting the state’s progress, Coker noted, “Ogun State has a prevalence rate of 1.6% (NAIIS 2018) and is making steady strides toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Currently, 95% of people living with HIV in the state know their status, 76% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 83% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.”
She also outlined several initiatives undertaken by the state government to combat the epidemic. These include increasing the number of comprehensive HIV/AIDS treatment sites from 22 to 43, providing MPIMA machines for early infant diagnosis, and engaging 150 mentor mothers across the 20 local government areas to provide peer support. Additionally, traditional birth attendants have been trained to support prevention efforts at the grassroots level.
Dr. Coker reaffirmed that all HIV testing and treatment services in Ogun State are free of charge. She called on residents to adopt responsible sexual behavior, use condoms, and undergo regular HIV testing to know their status.
“Prevention efforts must include widespread education, safe practices like condom use, and ensuring access to testing services. These actions are essential to reducing new infections,” she stated.
The Commissioner urged stronger community engagement to empower individuals to make informed health decisions and prevent the spread of HIV.
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Communication, Kayode Akinmade, called on the media to play a crucial role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“The media must help the government in spreading accurate information to educate the public. Enlightenment campaigns are essential to providing people with the knowledge needed to take proactive measures against HIV/AIDS,” Akinmade said.
