Victor EzejaThe United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (cPMTCT) programe in Lagos.
This is part of the U.S. government’s efforts to support a healthier population in Nigeria, through reducing the incidents of Mother-to-child HIV transmission.
During a ceremony held in Lagos to launch the programme, U.S. CDC Country Director Dr Mary Adetinuke Boyd, stated that the U.S. Mission has a goal of helping to strengthen local health systems in Nigeria to respond to disease-related threats.
Boyd stressed the need to urgently reach all HIV-positive pregnant women with treatment services to prevent further transmission of the virus from mothers to children adding taht that the services should be provided in conventional healthcare facilities, local communities, and other unconventional settings where women seek healthcare services.
She said, “The CDC and the U.S. Government is ready to partner with Lagos State to strengthen the health systems to respond to disease-related threats. Therefore, there is need to continue building and sustaining structures and systems that promote sustainability.”
Boyd commended the state government for its forward-leaning attitude to prioritize the health of residents, specifically the provision of HIV test kits, waiving of user fees, and release of counterpart funds all of which have been vital to supporting prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission.
She lauded the state’s COVID-19 response, high routine immunization rate, and remarkable progress in HIV treatment surge and advocated removal of other barriers hindering people living with HIV from accessing health services.
US-CDC implementing partner, Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP) is coordinating the program which aims to encourage mothers that are HIV positive to subscribe to HIV health services.
“The relationship between Lagos State, CDC, and its implementing partner, CIHP has been impactful. CDC will continue to support Lagos state through this partnership with the community in improving health outcomes,” she added.
The new approach, in addition to reaching pregnant women at various hospitals, involves working with community-level health centers, community-based midwives, traditional birth attendants, and other non-conventional healthcare providers. Through this initiative, important live saving HIV services will become accessible to more pregnant women at the grassroots.
The cPMTCT program will also incorporate an enhanced documentation of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving antiretroviral treatment as part of strategies to close the current gaps in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV.
As of June 30, 2021, more than 1.6 million Nigerians received U.S.-government supported HIV treatment, as a result of a historic surge that placed 350,000 new patients on life-saving antiretroviral medications, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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