FG, First Lady join forces to Launch ‘Free to Shine’ Campaign Against HIV\/AIDs in South East<\/p>\n
In a landmark initiative to combat the HIV\/AIDS epidemic, the Federal Government has partnered with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) to launch the “Free to Shine” campaign in the South-East region, marking a significant step towards a healthier future for Nigerians.<\/p>\n
At the recent flag-off ceremony in Enugu, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, highlighted the Free to Shine campaign as a crucial initiative aimed at eliminating HIV\/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis by 2030, noting that as part of a broader advocacy program led by the African Union and OAFLAD, the campaign seeks to prevent new infections, particularly mother-to-child transmission, and ensure comprehensive care for children born with HIV.<\/p>\n
According to her, “Nigeria bears the highest burden of HIV\/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among children, women, and other vulnerable groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
The campaign, which has been rolled out across five geopolitical zones with the South-East being the final region, aims to reverse the trend of HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, over 100,000 children and nearly 2 million adults were living with HIV in Nigeria in 2024. Notably, many HIV-positive mothers do not undergo early testing for their infants, often due to lack of awareness, resulting in preventable child deaths. By addressing these gaps, the campaign seeks to ensure early testing, treatment, and care for those affected.<\/p>\n
Senator Tinubu also announced her advocacy for the Triple Elimination of HIV\/AIDS, Syphilis, and Hepatitis, highlighting their profound public health impact. Untreated, she said, these diseases contribute to miscarriages, stillbirths, congenital anomalies, liver disease, and infant mortality.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis campaign is part of our collective vision for a healthier Nigeria, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. We must deepen engagement with traditional and faith-based institutions and expand access to testing, counselling, and treatment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The First Lady commended health workers, national agencies like NACA and NASCP, international partners including WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, PEPFAR, and EGPAF, for their continued support and urged First Ladies from other states to take ownership of the campaign in their jurisdictions.<\/p>\n
In a direct appeal to the youth, Sen. Oluremi emphasized their role in the campaign\u2019s success. \u201cYou are the most vulnerable but also our greatest hope. Please protect yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako applauded the First Lady’s role in galvanizing national response, describing her as the nation’s Chief Public Health Champion.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour leadership has underscored that HIV, Hepatitis, and Syphilis are preventable and treatable. These are not death sentences,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Salako outlined Nigeria\u2019s multi-faceted strategy, including: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT),
\nVoluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), Expanded access to Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP\/PEP), Increased testing and treatment for other STIs.<\/p>\n
He noted that 1.7 million Nigerians are currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with sustained budgetary provisions to ensure drug availability, emphasizing that HIV-positive individuals are also being integrated into health insurance schemes to access essential tests and long-term care.<\/p>\n
According to new data from NASCP, Nigeria is witnessing a steady decline in new HIV infections and vertical transmissions, with projections indicating an even sharper drop by the end of 2025.<\/p>\n
He called on state governments to increase domestic funding, absorb key health workers, and reduce reliance on dwindling donor support.<\/p>\n
“The best prevention for HIV and other STIs is a cup of water not before, not after but instead of sex.\u201d The Minister advised<\/p>\n
The \u2018Free to Shine\u2019 Campaign, operating under the Renewed Hope Initiative, continues to mobilize national action through awareness, prevention, and sexual health education. With sustained leadership, local commitment, and community engagement, Nigeria is poised to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2030.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FG, First Lady join forces to Launch ‘Free to Shine’ Campaign Against HIV\/AIDs in South East In a landmark initiative to combat the HIV\/AIDS epidemic, the Federal Government has partnered with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) to launch the “Free to Shine” campaign in the South-East region, marking a significant step […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":146438,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79,2,356,18],"tags":[100,1385,1386,1387],"class_list":{"0":"post-146437","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-economy","8":"category-featured","9":"category-health","10":"category-news","11":"tag-fg","12":"tag-first-lady","13":"tag-free-to-shine-campaign","14":"tag-hiv-aids"},"yoast_head":"\n