The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, says the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) identified and initiated 6,309 HIV positive pregnant women on Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), noting that it also screened and identified 335 HIV exposed infants who tested positive.

Leonard made the disclosure while speaking at the commemoration of the 2022 World AIDS Day held in Lagos on Thursday.

Leonard said: “This year PEPFAR identified and initiated 6,309 HIV positive pregnant women on ART. Unfortunately, we also screened and identified 335 HIV exposed infants who tested positive.

“There is nothing more heartbreaking than meeting a child born with HIV. We have long had the tools to prevent mother to child transmission and we cannot allow ourselves to accept children born today with HIV.

“These experiences are not limited to Nigeria but are also occurring in the U.S. Last year over 34,000 Americans were newly diagnosed with HIV, butdisparities persist in identifying new cases among African American and Latino communities.

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“We also still have a lot of work ahead of us in the United States to ensure that marginalised and disadvantaged individuals have access to HIV testing and diagnosis opportunities.

“There are real costs to society when a significant segment is excluded from health care, social benefits, and social protection. This year’s theme is a call for all of us to be inclusive and to guarantee that no one is denied equal opportunities or access to healthcare.”

The ambassador, however, urged Nigerians to continue working with communities to identify pregnant women who face barriers in accessing services that would prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

“I urge you to partner with traditional birth attendants and integrate treatment literacy messages so that unreached individuals receive accurate knowledge.

“I urge you to stand up for marginalised communities, including key populations, adolescents and young people and help guide all in need of safe spaces, healthcare, and legal services,” she added.

Leonard, therefore, commended the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially Lagos State officials present at the event for their steadfast leadership and “our implementing partners who continue to innovate and apply new scientific advances.”

The Star