Nigeria has successfully enrolled over 6.5 million pregnant women in its triple elimination programme, a milestone in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.
The Executive Secretary, Country Coordinating Mechanism at Global Fund, Mr Tajudeen Ibrahim, said this at the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund on Tuesday in Abuja.
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The meeting was convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Ibrahim said the achievement reflects improved data management, health facility coverage, and targeted interventions across the country.
He noted that Nigeria previously lagged behind some West African countries in reaching pregnant women with essential health services.
According to him, 99 per cent of pregnant women were tested for HIV in 2025, surpassing the national target of 95 per cent, while parental and partner testing reached 95 per cent.
He emphasised that reaching over 6.5 million women marks the greatest effort to date in preventing mother-to-child transmission of these diseases.
According to him, the country recorded 42,000 new HIV infections in 2025, while antiretroviral (ARV) coverage stood at 77 per cent, highlighting areas that require intensified efforts.
He said the initiative and other innovations would help Nigeria transition from basic care to quality care at all levels of the health system.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s tuberculosis and malaria achievements.
Ibrahim said 2.8 million community-based TB cases were detected in 2025, with over 3,000 successfully treated.
The NLI target for 2026 of 500,000 participants has been exceeded, with 1.1 million enrolled, reflecting strong programme implementation.
He added that 98 per cent of malaria cases detected in supported health facilities were treated on time, while 97 per cent received appropriate treatment.
He said approximately 8,800 facilities, including those supported by the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), participated in malaria interventions.
He noted that 92 per cent of health facilities reported data on time, demonstrating improved health management information systems.
He said Nigeria also uses digital portable chest X-rays to detect TB and HIV among vulnerable populations and local communities.
He explained that the Global Fund provided three million U.S. dollars for GCA and 701 million U.S. dollars in programmatic funding, which required intensive coordination to ensure optimal use.
Ibrahim noted that 22 warehouses have been upgraded and equipped with resources, including forklifts, to strengthen the health supply chain.
He mentioned Nigeria’s tackling of issues such as staffing shortages, low ARV coverage, and data gaps, stressing that progress was made through strategic planning, partner mapping, and integrated interventions.
He said: “Through coordinated efforts, improved data systems, and quality care initiatives, Nigeria can continue to close gaps in HIV, TB, and malaria programmes and maximise opportunities to save lives.” (NAN)