FCTA Marks World AIDS Day, Focuses On Children’s Health

By: Badaru Yakasai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has joined the world to commemorate World AIDS Day 2024, with a strong message of hope and determination to protect children from the scourge of HIV/AIDS. 

The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said this during a press briefing to mark the day.

Fasawe, who was represented at the ocassion by the Ag. Director-General, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Olubenga Bello, said the FCT has made great progress in keeping people connected to care, reducing the number of those who stop treatment to less than 2% in addition, improve access to HIV services, with 122 Health Centers now reaching even the most remote communities.

She added that Programmes like “Mother’s Love” are making a big difference by supporting pregnant women and ensuring early testing and care for babies.

“In Nigeria, HIV prevalence has dropped to 1.3%, with about 1.9 million people living with the virus. Here in the FCT, the rate stands at 1.4%, with over 27,000 people affected, including nearly 2,000 children under 15. Encouragingly, over 61,000 individuals in the FCT are receiving treatment, a significant step forward in the fight against the virus”, the Mandate Secretary said.

According to her, this year’s message, “take the Right Path: Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children,” calls for renewed efforts to fight the disease, especially among young people”.

Fasawe lauded the partnerships between local and international organizations that have helped expand services and tackle stigma and discrimination, butnoted that more work is needed to protect vulnerable groups, especially children, and prevent new infections.

In his welcome address, the Acting Director, FCT Public Health Department, Dr. Dan Gadzama, said World AIDS Day is commomerated   first of December  every year to prevent and create awareness on  spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and the world at large.

Gadzama said that HIV/AIDS counseling and screening is free and accessible in all public hospitals in the FCT.