The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, successfully placing 61,384 people living with the disease on treatment. This milestone was announced by Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCT Administration, during a press conference commemorating the 2024 World AIDS Day in Abuja.
According to Fasawe, the figure represents 223% of the projected number of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the FCT. Notably, 1,048 of those placed on treatment are children, accounting for 3.8% of the total number .
The FCT has an estimated population of 6.95 million, with an HIV prevalence rate of 1.4%, slightly higher than the national figure of 1.3%. To address the epidemic, the FCT Administration has expanded and strengthened HIV services, establishing a comprehensive network of 122 service delivery points across the six Area Councils.
In addition to providing antiretroviral therapy, the FCT has deployed unique interventions to address pediatric HIV. These include mentor mothers who serve as linkage escorts for pregnant women and training unconventional caregivers, such as traditional birth attendants, on the importance of facility births and early infant diagnosis .
The FCT’s efforts in combating HIV/AIDS have been made possible through strong partnerships and collaborations with organizations such as the National AIDS and STI Control Programme, the National Agency for the Control of Aids, and implementing partners like the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation .
As the FCT celebrates these achievements, it acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. The territory remains committed to ending stigma and discrimination, intensifying efforts to reach the unreached, and ensuring that every individual living with HIV has access to quality care and support.
