80 million Nigerians to get HIV screening in 2 years - Presidency

About 80 million Nigerians would undergo screening for the HIV virus in the next two years. This is in line with efforts aimed at raising the level of citizens' awareness of their HIV statuses. The exercise is part of the President's Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP) for HIV/AIDS backed by National Agency for Control of AIDS (NACA).

The screening exercise has already commenced in four states of the federation, coming at a time when more than 40% of people already living with the virus do not know their HIV status; a shocking revelation made by NACA Director-General and International AIDS Society Governing Council member representing Nigeria, Prof John Idoko at a sensitisation workshop held in Abuja.

According to him, the screening exercise to identify people living with the virus will enable them commence their antiretroviral treatment early enough.

The antiretroviral treatment is currently reaching approximately 500, 000 people across Nigeria.

"Treatment is very important, because we don't want to treat people [who] are going to die, but treat people [who] will live and also prevent them from transmitting the virus to others," he said.

For pregnant women, the DG said: "We want to test as many as possible and then those who are positive; we aim that at least 244,000 of them we will provide intervention so that they will not transmit the virus to their babies."

The screening exercise would also target groups that are at higher risks of contracting the virus. These include commercial sex workers, gays and Nigerian youths.

The plan was first unveiled by President Goodluck Jonathan at the African Union Heads of Government Summit last July held in Abuja.

The PCRP could bring in up to NGN262.7 billion in domestic contribution to the national response. Another NGN198.5 billion is expected in external donor finance to meet total NGN461.2 billion required for full coverage of the anti-HIV programme in the country.