The Federal Government has revealed that no fewer than 15,000 children under the age of 14 have lost their lives within 2024-2025 to HIV-related illnesses across the country.
Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the President, who revealed this at the weekend during the launch of the Free to Shine campaign in Akure, the Ondo State capital, however, said all hands must be on deck towards eliminating HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis among women of reproductive age in the country.
According to her, “in just two years, we lost 15,000 children under the age of 14 to HIV-related illnesses. The disease has continued to take a devastating toll on Nigeria’s future. These are not just numbers, but lives filled with unrealised potential.”
BusinessDay reports that the Free to Shine campaign, an initiative under the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), aims to eliminate HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis among women of reproductive age.
It also targets the elimination of mother-to-child transmission and the provision of treatment for children born with HIV.
The Wwfe of the President, who called for immediate and collective action to address the public health crisis, stressed the urgency of raising awareness and improving prevention strategies.
She also spoke about Nigeria’s position as a leader in the HIV crisis within Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, noting that the country bears the highest burden of the disease due to its large population.
“This campaign seeks to significantly reduce new HIV infections among women of reproductive age, eliminate mother-to-child transmission, and ensure that every child born with HIV receives the necessary treatment and support to thrive.
“In 2024 alone, over 100,000 children and nearly 2 million adults were living with HIV. Just two years ago, 15,000 children under the age of 14 lost their lives to HIV-related illnesses.
“Each of these children was not just a statistic, but a future full of potential. This underscores the urgent need for sustained action to improve prevention strategies, enhance diagnosis, and expand access to quality treatment.
“Our goal is that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of them are placed on antiretroviral therapy, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression,” Tinubu said.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks, described the Free to Shine campaign as a timely and strategic intervention.
He emphasised that the campaign aligns with the administration’s commitment to improving health outcomes for women and children.
Aiyedatiwa said, “This programme reflects the compassionate ideals of this government and offers renewed hope to vulnerable populations. The government of Ondo State stands firmly behind this initiative.
“We are committed to driving the message and goals of the campaign to the grassroots, ensuring that no woman or child is left behind in the fight against preventable diseases.”