Abuja, 02 December, 2015: Nigeria has  commemorated the  2015 World AIDS Day with the national theme of “Getting to Zero - ending HIV/AIDS by 2030” which reverberates the global vision of achieving zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDs related deaths by 2030.

National commemoratory events spanned the whole week and included HIV testing and counselling at internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and selected Armed Forces barracks in the Federal Capital Territory, annual HIV lecture; special prayers; a novelty match and a ministerial press briefing.

During the ministerial press briefing, the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, officially launched  results of National Antenatal HIV Sentinel Survey, conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) and Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (IBBSS) conducted among key populations.

The ANC survey showed that HIV prevalence was at 3.0% as against 4.1% in 2010. It also reported prevalence of syphilis at 0.7% and HIV-syphilis co-infection at 0.04%. The IBBSS reported a prevalence of 22.9% for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), 19.4% for Brothel Based Female Sex Workers (BBFWSS) and 8.6% for Non-brothel Based Female Sex Workers (NBBFWSS).

Launching the two reports, the minister applauded WHO and other UN agencies, PEPFAR, Global Fund and the World Bank for their contributions in the two surveys as well as support to the country’s on-going efforts in providing care and treatment for people living with HIV in Nigeria. He underscored that Nigeria had second largest burden of HIV globally but also mentioned that “notable progress was being made towards ending HIV transmission by 2030”.

Dr Ehanire however highlighted the need for further improvement to the funding and implementation of HIV/AIDs interventions.

Speaking on behalf of partners at the event, Dr Rui Gama Vaz, the WHO Country Representative commended the Nigerian Government’s HIV/AIDs response and strong political leadership. He noted that the African Region was poised towards achieving the region’s MDG 6 target by end of 2015 of halting and reversing the HIV epidemic. He however pointed out that while Nigeria was a significant contributor towards MDG 6 achievement, there remains the unfinished business of reaching children, young people, adolescent and key populations. He also noted the need to strengthen existing laws against stigma  in the Region.

Dr Vaz used the occasion to assure the minister of WHO’s readiness and continued support towards the country’s efforts in further strengthening the health systems towards overall improvement of the health of its people and for the implementation of the country’s SDG agenda that will fully encompass the HIV/AIDS response.

The 2015 events are expected to continue on 3 December 2015 with a road show and adolescents/youth meetings.

____________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts:

Dr Rex Mpazanje; Tel: +234 803 638 9632; Email: mpazanjer [at] who.inttarget="_blank"
Dr Oluwafunke Ilesanmi; Tel: +234 903 722 8596; Email: ilesanmio [at] who.int
Media contact:

Ms  Charity Warigon; Tel: +234 810 221 0093; Email: warigonc [at] who.inttarget="_blank"
____________________________________________

Below:

01. HIV counselling and testing

02. The Minister (2nd right) and WR (2nd left) at the FMOH press briefing