The Federal Government has begun offering People Living with HIV/AIDS free annual liver and kidney tests. This initiative is available through expanded health insurance coverage, aiming to improve overall care and health outcomes.
Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced this during the 2025 World AIDS Day in Abuja. The event, led by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), carried the theme: “Overcoming disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV response.
”World AIDS Day, observed every December 1, raises awareness about HIV/AIDS, promotes global solidarity, and reviews progress in combating the epidemic. It also reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring treatment access for all affected individuals.
Salako highlighted plans to integrate HIV, TB, malaria, nutrition, and other health programs into a single service. “This integrated approach allows children and adolescents to access multiple essential services in one visit,” he said.
The National Council on Health recently lowered the consent age for voluntary HIV testing from 18 to 14 years. This move aims to increase early diagnosis, improve treatment access, and reduce transmission among adolescents.
Dr. Temitope Ilori, NACA Director-General, reported Nigeria’s impressive progress toward the 95–95–95 global targets. Eighty-seven percent know their status, 98 percent of them receive treatment, and 95 percent on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Experts call for stronger domestic funding, community engagement, and viral load testing. Together, stakeholders can accelerate Nigeria’s goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
