The Ogun State Government said on Tuesday that it has recorded significant progress in reducing the prevalence of HIV and AIDS across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 World AIDS Day Celebration, held at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The theme of the event was “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.”
According to Dr. Coker, over 30,000 people are currently receiving free antiretroviral therapy in health facilities across the state, while HIV testing and counselling services have been expanded to all 20 Local Government Areas.
She disclosed that 96 percent of residents now know their HIV status, adding that the state has significantly strengthened its Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, leading to more HIV-free births.
“We have strengthened our response and improved access to life-saving services.
“Today in Ogun State, 96 percent of our citizens know their status, while 78 percent of those diagnosed are on treatment.
“Over 30,000 people are currently receiving free antiretroviral therapy in our health facilities.
“We are working towards achieving the 95-95-95 target, with a total of 40,309 residents expected to be on treatment.
“HIV testing and counselling services are now available in all 20 Local Governments, bringing care closer to our communities.
“At the just-concluded National Council on Health, there was deliberation on reducing the age for voluntary HIV testing to 14 years.
“This is particularly important for Ogun State, being the tertiary-institution hub of Nigeria,” she said.
Dr. Coker noted that Ogun State continues to make meaningful progress through the unwavering commitment of OGSACA, implementing partners and dedicated health workers.
She added that the state is working towards eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2030, strengthening health systems, promoting community-led responses, ensuring sustainability through domestic resource mobilisation, and improving data-driven decision-making.
While acknowledging the occurrence of new infections, she described stigma, declining global funding, and service disruptions as major threats to achieving desired outcomes, especially among vulnerable groups.
The Commissioner revealed that the state has developed a two-year strategic plan (2025–2027) focused on eliminating mother-to-child transmission, strengthening health systems, promoting community ownership of the response, and sustaining universal access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment.
She called on all stakeholders to join hands in reducing HIV and AIDS prevalence to the barest minimum.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe, stressed the need to strengthen advocacy, review progress and address challenges. He identified inadequate funding and the dwindling presence of donor agencies as major obstacles in the fight against the scourge.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Oladeinde, said the World AIDS Day celebration was aimed at raising awareness on how to effectively curb the menace.
He called for internalisation, institutionalisation and localisation of the HIV response rather than continued dependence on external support.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
