Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sade Oguntola
Published on 2024-02-22 04:35:46
HIV. The organization has been working tirelessly to address the gaps in HIV treatment and care for children, ensuring that they receive the same level of attention and support as adults.
Despite significant progress in HIV prevention, treatment, and research, there remains a notable gap in reaching the most vulnerable populations, including children. In 2015, the World Health Organisation issued global guidelines recommending treatment for all people with HIV as soon as possible after diagnosis, including both adults and children. This ‘treat all’ approach has led to increases in the proportion of people with HIV on treatment and reductions in HIV-related deaths. However, HIV treatment coverage in children lags behind adults in the ‘treat all’ era.
Dr. Avese Torbunde, the country manager for the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), highlighted the challenges faced in HIV service delivery for children in Nigeria. Despite efforts to prioritize HIV interventions for adults, children and adolescents continue to be left behind in drug treatment, testing, research, and viral load suppression rates. Only about 3.5 percent of Nigerians receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) are children, highlighting a significant treatment gap.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that about 30 percent of AIDS-related deaths in 2020 occurred in children, emphasizing the urgent need to address the gaps in HIV treatment and care for children. Nigeria has the highest number of children and adolescents living with HIV in West and Central Africa, with an estimated 190,000 children affected.
Dr. Torbunde emphasized the importance of including children in discussions related to HIV treatment, testing, and research from the start. Children should not have to wait for advancements in HIV medications and formulations, as timely intervention is critical for their survival. While progress has been made in developing HIV medications in tablet form for children, more research is needed to identify ARV drugs that work best for children.
Prof. Rosemary Ugwu, a consultant paediatrician, highlighted the challenges faced in managing HIV treatment for children, including the lack of child-friendly drug formulations and limited access to HIV drug research and testing. She emphasized the importance of family-centered care in ensuring early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and viral suppression for children living with HIV.
In response to these challenges, Nigeria has joined an alliance with 12 countries to end HIV in children, focusing on increasing case identification and treatment for children living with HIV. Dr. Adebobola Basorun, the National Coordinator of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme, highlighted the country’s commitment to improving HIV service delivery for children and adolescents.
Moving forward, it is essential to prioritize the needs of children living with HIV and ensure that they receive the care and support they need to thrive. By addressing the gaps in HIV treatment and care for children, we can work towards a future where no child is left behind in the fight against HIV.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
