The National Primary Health Care Development Agency has called on Nigerians to take advantage of free HIV testing, counselling, and treatment available at primary healthcare centres.

The executive director of NPHCDA, Muyi Aina, said this in an interview on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Aina said early detection and treatment played critical roles in reducing HIV-related illnesses and deaths.

“Get tested, get treated, and stay healthy. Our PHCs offer confidential and free HIV services, including testing and counselling. We encourage everyone to visit their nearest PHC and take control of their health,” he said.

He reassured Nigerians of the NPHCDA’s commitment to providing accessible, stigma-free health services. Mr Aina said early detection saves lives and prevents further spread of the virus within communities.

The executive director noted that the NPHCDA was working to ensure the availability of HIV services in all PHCs, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

He said this initiative aligned with global efforts to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.

He said that NPHCDA would continue to advocate for greater awareness and utilisation of PHC services, urging Nigerians to prioritise their health by seeking timely medical care.

The estimated HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 is approximately 1.3 per cent, with about 1.9 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the country.

In recent years, Nigeria has intensified its efforts to identify and treat individuals living with HIV.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with Nigerian health authorities, provided HIV testing services to nearly 6.2 million people.

Of these, 149,244 individuals tested positive, and 145,685 were promptly linked to antiretroviral therapy.

The country has also focused on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. During the same period, over 1.1 million pregnant women were tested for HIV at antenatal clinics.

Among those diagnosed with HIV, 21,267 received ART to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their infants.

These concerted efforts have led to a substantial increase in PLHIV receiving ART.

As of March 2023, nearly 2 million individuals were on ART, with the CDC supporting approximately 1.2 million of these patients.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain.

In 2021, Nigeria reported 74,000 new HIV infections and 51,000 AIDS-related deaths.

However, the country has made significant strides in providing treatment, with 1.7 million people on ART by the end of 2021.

Nigeria continues to make notable progress in combating HIV/AIDS through expanded testing, treatment, and prevention initiatives.

Ongoing efforts are essential to further reducing new infections and improving health outcomes for those living with HIV.

(NAN)