The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe said over 61,000 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) had successfully been placed on treatment.
Fasawe disclosed this on Monday, at a press conference to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day in Abuja.
She maintained that the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children”, called for renewed focus on addressing pediatric HIV and safeguarding the rights of everyone affected by the disease.
The Mandate Secretary who was represented by the Director-General, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Olubenga Bello, revealed that FCT, with an estimated population of 6.95 million had a HIV prevalence rate of 1.4 per cent, a little over the national figure of 1.3 per cent.
She added that of the 61,384 People Living With HIV placed on treatment, 1,048 were children, representing 3.8 per cent
She said that the FCTA was currently expanding and strengthening HIV Services in the FCT.
“Our health sector response has been strengthened by a comprehensive network of 122 service delivery points, offering antiretrovirals across the six Area Councils in the FCT.
“Also, there are 285 other conventional spoke sites and 37 unconventional sites, which provide decentralised community-based care to ensure services reach even the most remote populations.
“The FCT’s decentralised model ensures that no one is left behind, enabling communities to access quality care and support close to home,” she said.
The mandate secretary further said that to address pediatric HIV, the FCT has deployed unique interventions, such as mentor mothers who serve as linkage escorts for pregnant women, guiding them through care pathways.
She added that FCT also trained unconventional caregivers, such as traditional birth attendants on the importance of facility-births, prophylaxis, and early infant diagnosis with samples taken within 72 hours of life.
