Lagos: The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) on Wednesday said it had provided comprehensive care to over 25,000 Nigerians living with HIV through its programme.
Dr Agatha David, NIMR’s Director of Research, disclosed this during the institute’s monthly media chat, organised to update the public on its research activities.
She explained that the comprehensive care includes HIV testing, treatment, and monitoring resistance among patients.
David said NIMR was the first health institution in Nigeria to establish a child- and adolescent-friendly clinic where patients could access care.
According to her, more than 3,000 children, adolescents, and young adults, aged 0–24 years, have been enrolled in the programme since it began in 2019.
“We provide care for children of HIV-positive mothers until they are certified HIV-free after 18 months. We also care for children born with HIV,” she said.
She added that NIMR had started an outreach clinic in Ketu, an orphanage housing a sizeable number of children living with HIV.
David noted that in the last six years, NIMR’s clinic had not recorded any mother-to-child transmission of the disease.
The consultant paediatrician stressed that Nigeria still had the most significant gap in preventing mother-to-child transmission, urging increased campaigns for women to know their status.
On age-appropriate disclosure for children with HIV, she advised parents to inform their children of their status from age 12.
David said, “For a parent, disclosing a child’s HIV status is difficult, mainly if the mother transmitted the disease.
“Parents should begin gradual explanations from age five but disclose fully at age 12, with expert guidance to provide detailed information.”
She added that children who understood their status would adhere better to treatment and live healthier, longer lives.
On funding, David said the withdrawal of US donations under President Donald Trump’s administration served as a wake-up call for Nigeria and other African countries.
