Health
Ministry Reiterates Commitment To HIV-free Society Through PrEP Rollout
By Kemi Akintokun
The Federal Ministry of Health, through the National HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving an HIV-free society through increased awareness, testing and responsible health practices.
Dr Chioma Ukanwa, an official of NASCP who spoke to newsmen said the three-day training was organised for health workers in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday in Lagos.
Ukanwa said the training was designed to equip participants with the technical knowledge required for the effective rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) injection for HIV prevention.
She noted that NASCP recognised PrEP as a critical biomedical HIV prevention tool and a key component of a comprehensive prevention strategy aimed at reducing new HIV infections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government officially launched Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly long-acting HIV prevention injection, in March, with a pilot rollout in eight states.
“This training is designed to build national capacity through a standardised, high-quality training approach and is also part of efforts toward sustainable HIV prevention.
“It will equip master trainers with the technical knowledge, facilitation skills and practical competencies required to cascade Len PrEP training to healthcare workers and community stakeholders across the country.
“Capacity strengthening plays a pivotal role in ensuring the successful introduction and implementation of injectable and oral PrEP in the country.
“The participants at this training include professors, consultants, clinicians, nurses and others who will help cascade the training to healthcare workers in their respective hospitals and institutions and guide implementation at service delivery points,” she said.
Ukanwa, also a deputy director in the ministry, explained that HIV-negative persons at high risk of contracting the virus, including individuals in discordant relationships, would be prioritised for Len PrEP.
She, however, noted that HIV prevention must involve a combination of approaches, including abstinence, faithfulness to one partner, condom use and preventive medications such as oral PrEP and injectable options.
According to her, the nation’s goal is to eliminate new HIV infections and prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus in line with global targets to end HIV by 2030.
She commended donor agencies and international partners for supporting the nation’s fight against the disease.
Dr Chinyere Okafor, WHO State Coordinator for Lagos, said in a goodwill message on behalf of the organisation that part of WHO’s mandate was to support member states in achieving universal health coverage and strengthening health systems.
Okafor said the mandate had translated into tangible action in Nigeria, especially in HIV prevention.
She noted that the Training of Trainers for northern states was conducted the previous week, while the ongoing southern states cluster marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s HIV response.
The WHO representative said the country would continue to expand access to oral PrEP and long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA).
She added that newer innovations such as lenacapavir (LEN) would also be introduced, noting that building a skilled and competent health workforce had never been more critical.
Speaking further, she said WHO was proud to provide technical and financial support for the initiative.
“Through adherence to global and national guidelines, we aim to ensure that high-quality PrEP services are delivered effectively across all levels of the health system,” she said.
Okafor commended the Federal Ministry of Health, NASCP and the Lagos State Ministry of Health for their strong leadership and commitment to advancing HIV prevention through evidence-based, people-centred strategies.
According to her, such collaboration makes initiatives like the current National Training of Trainers possible and impactful.
Meanwhile, one of the participants, Prof. Samuel Ebede of the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), described the training as a commendable initiative by NASCP.
Ebede said the training-of-trainers approach would enable experts from various institutions to cascade the knowledge to others, while increasing awareness and access to HIV prevention services nationwide.
Another participant, Dr Ufuoma Edewor, NASCP Programme Manager in Rivers, described Len PrEP as a game-changer in HIV prevention.
He commended the government for its swift efforts to sensitise healthcare professionals.
Edewor said Lenacapavir, administered twice yearly, offered a more convenient option for people who struggled with taking daily medication.
NAN further reports that 32 health professionals from southern states attended the training. (NAN)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
