The Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) has appealed to the federal government to assist in the procurement of medicines for its members with kidney disease.

Its Lagos coordinator, Patrick Akpan, made the appeal in an interview with journalists on Sunday in commemoration of World AIDS Day.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of infection.

People living with HIV/AIDS are at an increased risk of kidney disease and renal complications. HIV infection can cause kidney failure due to HIV infection of kidney cells, known as HIV-Associated Nephropathy (HIVAN).

Mr Akpan said access to the medicine specially formulated for people living with HIV/AIDS who have renal problems had been difficult, noting that the drug is mild on the kidneys.

“Access to the medicine has been a problem for our members because that drug is not sponsored by international companies for people living with HIV/AIDS. 

“The drug is expensive and not readily available. It costs around N60,000 for one month of usage, a price which most of our members cannot afford,” he said.

He urged the federal government to assist NEPWHAN members with medicines for managing kidney disease and other health conditions. 

Mr Akpan also appealed to the Lagos State government to extend free kidney and liver function tests to NEPWHAN members to aid early identification of kidney and liver problems.

“The issue is that the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and Lagos State University (LUTH) will make sure that they know the condition of your kidney before administering medicines.

“They don’t conduct the kidney and liver function tests on our members who pick their antiretroviral medicines at state-owned health facilities. 

“And not even that alone, the amount of money spent by members who do these tests within most of the state hospitals is around N12,500 for liver and kidney function tests. 

“So, N12,500 is not easy for so many of them who are indigent,” he said.

He advocated that state health insurance should cover the cost to enable more people to check their kidney and liver function regularly and enhance the number of health insurance enrollees.

According to him, 120,000 people living with HIV/AIDS are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy in Lagos. He noted that 8,000 among them are NEPWHAN members.

Mr Akpan said 6,000 NEPWHAN members are enrolled on the state health insurance.

He stressed that efforts should be intensified to combat HIV-related stigma, which continues to obstruct access to vital services.

Mr Akpan emphasised that collaborative efforts were critical to achieving the 2030 targets of eliminating HIV in Nigeria and globally.

World AIDS Day, celebrated annually on December 1, seeks to unite the global community to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses and advocate for continued progress in HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

This year’s celebration has  the theme: “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 39.9 million people globally live with HIV, and 1.3 million new infections were reported in 2023, far exceeding the 2025 target of fewer than 370,000.

The health agency discloses that about 21.3 million people are receiving antiretroviral treatment in Africa, raising their life expectancy.

According to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), two million Nigerians are living with HIV, out of which 1.6 million are on treatment. 

(NAN)