By Olaitan Ibrahim
Nigeria is taking significant strides in combating HIV/AIDS, with a focus on local manufacturing of test kit reagents and other related products. According to Temitope Ilori, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), this effort is part of the government’s commitment to tackling the disease. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to China underscored this priority, resulting in the signing of an MoU to facilitate in-country production of these reagents.
The country has also received a donation of 2,000 self-test kits and 2,000 professional test kits from Wondfo Biotech, an international HIV test kit
manufacturer, ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1. This donation will enable individuals to test for HIV in the comfort of their homes, and NACA has commended the donor for this initiative.
Nigeria’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS are guided by the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework 2021-2025, which aims to relay the current state of knowledge on the HIV epidemic and provide renewed guidance on the national response. The country has also developed the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which builds on the previous framework and aligns with the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026.
With an estimated 1.8 million people living with HIV in Nigeria, the country ranks fourth in the world in terms of HIV burden. However, with increased funding and international partnerships, Nigeria is moving closer to achieving the global goal of ending the epidemic by 2030.
Nigeria’s intensified efforts to combat HIV/AIDS demonstrate the country’s commitment to addressing this major public health challenge. Through local manufacturing, international partnerships, and strategic planning, Nigeria is taking significant strides towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.