…emphasizes collective action to eliminate the disease
The Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign has kicked off in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
The campaign, launched by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, aims to expand ongoing efforts to build a coalition against HIV/AIDS in the country.
While flagging off the campaign, Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigeria to take decisive action and join other African nations in achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target by 2030.
“The Free to Shine campaign seeks to significantly reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age, prevent mother-to-child transmission (vertical transmission), and ensure that every child born with HIV receives the necessary treatment and support to thrive. According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in 2024, there were over 100,000 children and nearly two million adults living with HIV. Alarmingly, many infants born to HIV-positive mothers are not tested within the first two months of birth, often due to a lack of awareness or ignorance of the consequences.”
The First Lady stressed the urgent need to raise awareness, renew commitment, and take collective actionagainst these diseases. This aligns with the shared vision of a healthier Nigeria, where women, youth, and children can thrive.
“It is heartbreaking to learn that just two years ago, 15,000 children between the ages of 0-14 lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses. Each of these children was not just a statistic but a future full of potential, sadly cut short. The ongoing challenges faced by children living with HIV highlight the need for sustained action to improve prevention strategies, diagnosis, and access to treatment.”
She reaffirmed that the campaign aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes health as a key pillar of national development. She also passionately appealed to Nigerians to get tested, know their status, and access treatment, emphasizing that HIV is not a death sentence.
Minister Debunks Drug Scarcity Rumors
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, dismissed rumors of a scarcity of antiretroviral drugs in the country.
He emphasized that HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis continue to pose significant healthcare challenges in Nigeria, contributing to maternal and child mortality, undermining socio-economic development, and placing a burden on families and communities. He described the Free to Shine campaign as a critical intervention in revitalizing Nigeria’s healthcare system and securing a healthier future.
Responding to requests for subsidized or free liver and kidney function tests for HIV patients, raised by survivors at the event, Dr. Salako assured that the matter would be urgently addressed.
Survivors Share Their Stories
Two survivors, who have been living with HIV for 26 and 16 years, shared their experiences, highlighting family support, love, and adherence to prescribed medication as key factors in their survival.
They urged young people to avoid risky behaviors that could expose them to the virus.
WHO and Development Partners Pledge Support
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, reaffirmed the WHO’s commitment to working with OAFLAD, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and Nigeria in combating HIV/AIDS.
Other development partners, including UNICEF, NACA, and NASCP, also pledged their continued support for the campaign.
Campaign Expands Across Nigeria
As part of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) advocacy initiatives, the Free to Shine Triple Elimination Campaign is making its way across Nigeria, mobilizing resources and securing commitments from critical stakeholders to reduce new HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis infections among young women and youth.
With the South-South, North-Central, and North-West regions already covered, the campaign is now set to move to the North-East, leaving three more geopolitical zones to go.
