FG Introduces Free Treatment For All HIV Patients In Nigeria

The Federal Government has announced that it would be implementing new guidelines for HIV prevention, treatment and care to consolidate previous efforts in tackling the scourge.

This disclosure was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, at the opening of a two-day North-West Zonal Dissemination of 2016 National Guidelines for HIV prevention, Treatment and Care in Kaduna.

Speaking on behalf of the minister,  Segilola Araoye, his special adviser, said the guideline would ensure that those affected by HIV receive free health service at all levels in both public and private health institutions.

He said: “From this day hence, everyone who tests positive to HIV is automatically eligible for treatment and this applies to everyone with equal emphasis, child, man and women, pregnant or not.

“From today onward we are duty bound to offer antiretroviral drugs as prevention to all persons who are at high risk of contracting HIV infection.

“From today forward all persons on treatment are entitled to at least one viral load test per year.

“From today hence, we will place greater emphasis on differentiated systems of care that are adjustable to the individual needs of the patient.’’

Mr. Adewole noted that the recommendations in the 2016 guidelines by current standard were audacious, unambiguous and un-apologetically pro-patient.

The minister, however, appealed to state governments and other stakeholders to efficiently implement the recommendations of the guidelines to the later in an effort to tackle the menace.

“For this to happen, we must change course a bit and find the courage to depart from the strategies that have not worked well.

“The guidelines could not have come at a less opportune moment, as they will serve as the necessary catalyst for attainment of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 initiative.

“And today, we hopefully bring to end the argument over deeply divisive option B and option B+ saga if our guidelines have been careful, to avoid the terms perhaps, it is time we stopped using them all together,” the minister said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes available statistics as saying that no fewer than 3.4 million people are currently affected by the HIV and AIDS scourge.