The Federal Government has announced a major step toward improving healthcare for people living with HIV/AIDS by offering free annual liver and kidney function tests through expanded health insurance coverage.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made this known on Monday in Abuja during the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration, themed “Overcoming disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV response.”
World AIDS Day, marked every December 1, is dedicated to raising awareness, reviewing progress, and strengthening global solidarity in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
According to Salako, the government is pushing toward a more integrated health system where services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition, and other related programs are available in a single location. This, he explained, will make it easier for children and adolescents to receive multiple essential services in one visit.
He noted that at the 66th National Council on Health held in Calabar, the age of consent for voluntary HIV testing was reduced from 18 to 14 years. This is expected to increase early testing among adolescents, improve access to care, and reduce HIV transmission.
Salako also revealed that the National Clinical Mentorship Programme would now be institutionalised nationwide to help ensure patients remain on treatment and reduce loss to follow-up.
He urged all stakeholders — including state governments, development partners, civil society groups, and communities — to intensify efforts and innovation as Nigeria continues its push to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, said Nigeria remains on track to meet the global 95–95–95 targets despite disruptions from economic challenges, fluctuating donor funding, and the pandemic.
Nigeria currently stands at 87–98–95, showing strong progress in diagnosis, treatment access, and viral suppression.
Ilori added that new HIV infections have dropped by 46% over the past decade, with more people receiving and staying on treatment than ever before.
Read Also;
Insecurity Hampers NAFDAC Operations in Sokoto, Coordinator Raises Alarm
President of NEPWHAN, Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, called for strengthened community engagement, better support systems, and improved access to viral load testing to sustain progress.
UN Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, also urged the government to boost domestic financing, protect human rights, empower communities, and strengthen the healthcare system.
She emphasised that with collective action, Nigeria can build a future where everyone living with HIV has access to health, dignity, and hope.
