NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag HIV

General news

(Video) NAN News Highlights for Wed., July 25, 2018

 

1. President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn-in newly appointed members of the Police Service Commission and a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

 

Those sworn-in by the President at the occasion which preceded the Federal Executive Council meeting, include Alhaji Musiliu Smith as Chairman of the Commission and six others as members while Mr Festus Okoye, a Human Rights activist, was also sworn in as National Commissioner of the electoral body.

======
2. Nigeria has been listed among owners of man-made objects orbiting the earth and a major player in space technology, the Nigerian Society of Engineers says.

This is coming after the inauguration of a total of six satellites in the country.

Engr. Aishatu Umar, the Chairman of the Giri branch of the society, who made this known at the 60th anniversary and induction of new members of the association, said Nigeria achieved the feat through national commitment and focus on development of technology and human capital.

=======
3. The Institute of Disaster Management and Safety Science has called on Nigerians to be more safety conscious by avoiding any form of carelessness both at home and in the office to reduce the risk of disasters in the country.

The Registrar of the Institute, Mr. Ochagwuba Edwin, said specialised education was required to effect meaningful improvement in the global response to disaster and management.
=======
4. The United Nations Children’s Fund says teenagers, particularly girls, are bearing the brunt of the global AIDS epidemic with around 30 adolescents infected with HIV every hour in 2017.

The UN agency said 130,000 children, aged 19 and under, were dying from the disease in 2018, while another 430,000 – amounting to 50 people per hour, were newly infected.

It said while there had been substantial progress in the fight against AIDS in the last two decades, the failure to prevent so many new infections among children and teenagers was slowing down the process.

========
5. A study published in the monthly journal, Nature Climate Change, has revealed that unmitigated rise in temperature can lead to 40,000 additional suicides in the U.S. and Mexico by 2050.

Researchers from institutions in the U.S., Canada and Chile who analysed temperature and suicide data from multiple decades in thousands of U.S. counties and Mexican municipalities found that high temperatures directly affect mental well-being, due to side effects of thermoregulation.

=======

Health

Promising new data on HIV epidemic emerges from Sub-Saharan Africa

Promising new data on HIV epidemic emerges from Sub-Saharan Africa
By Akeem Abas
Data
Ibadan, July 25, 2018 (NAN) Researchers and public health experts have presented promising new data on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic and response from Sub-Saharan Africa.
This is contained in a statement issued at the 22nd International AIDS Conference (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome 2018) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan said.
NAN reports that the conference, which is the largest gathering on HIV and AIDS in the world is organised by the International AIDS Society (IAS).
Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker, IAS President and International Chair of AIDS 2018, said despite extraordinary progress, HIV remained a serious threat to lives of millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The data presented today underscore both the urgent need and the opportunity to invest in expanded HIV prevention and treatment programmes that can turn back the epidemic in Africa,” she said.
Bekker said that data from multiple countries revealed the impact of enhanced prevention and treatment efforts.
Aleya Khalifa from UNICEF said a study noted that reducing HIV burden among young people in sub-Saharan Africa would require better access to HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, likewise targeted testing services.
Khalifa said that analysis conducted by UNICEF estimated that 9.6 million young people aged 15-24 years would be newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa between 2017 and 2050.
“The continued toll of HIV among young people reflects the rapidly growing youth population in the region, which is expected to increase by 85 per cent by 2050.
“There is slow decline in HIV incidence in this group has fallen by some three per cent per year since 2010,’’ she said.
Bernard Haufiku, Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services, noted that Namibia surpassed the UNAIDS goal of achieving 73 per cent viral suppression by 2020.
He stated that a population-level study in Namibia revealed that 77 per cent of people living with HIV in the country were virally suppressed; adding the HIV level in their blood fell to low levels.
Haufiku said the viral suppression indicated that people living with HIV were on successful treatment, saying such improves their health and prevents transmission to others.
“Its success reflects a high-level commitment to HIV treatment. In 2015, Namibia implemented an Acceleration Plan that rapidly scaled up HIV testing and treatment services,” he said.
Diane Havlir from University of California, San Francisco, U.S.A, said a multi-disease approach using streamlined care could rapidly achieve UNAIDS targets for HIV treatment and improve community health.
Havlir said community-cluster randomised study in Uganda and Kenya revealed that enhanced testing and care initiatives for HIV and other diseases could result in significantly higher viral suppression and lower HIV mortality.
“Communities in the study control group received testing and care for HIV-related hypertension and diabetes based on national guidelines.
“Communities in the intervention group received enhanced testing and care for the three diseases, including rapid-start treatment for all people living with HIV.
“After three years, communities receiving enhanced testing and care experienced higher viral suppression and lower HIV mortality, Tuberculosis Bacterium (TB) incidence and uncontrolled hypertension,” Havlir said.
Similarly, Moeketsi Joseph Makhema of the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership said the Ya Tsie Botswana Prevention Project revealed that combination of HIV prevention approach was effective.
“Randomised study in rural and semi-urban communities, found that a package of interventions, including expanded HIV testing, linkage to care, earlier treatment and voluntary male circumcision, led to 30 per cent reduction in HIV incidence,” he said.
Makhena stated that the study had compared outcomes over 30 months from 15 communities receiving the interventions and 15 communities receiving the standard of care.
Velephi Okello of the eSwatini Ministry of Health reported that adopting ‘Universal Test and Treat (UTT)’ led to improved health system performance.
The MaxART study in eSwatini (previously known as Swaziland) provided the world’s first data on the impact of “Universal Test and Treat (UTT)’’ in a government-run national health system.
UTT entails offering antiretroviral treatment to all HIV-positive individuals, regardless of CD4 count.
The study evaluated data from 14 health facilities as they transitioned from the current standard of care to UTT.
Okello stated that the likelihood of achieving viral suppression improved dramatically, with 79 per cent of patients achieving viral suppression under UTT compared with just four per cent under the current standard of care. (NAN)
TAA/GOM/MST
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

New research results reveal progress in HIV prevention

New research results reveal progress in HIV prevention
By Akeem Abas
Research
Ibadan, July 24, 2018 (NAN) Results of several important HIV prevention studies such as ‘treatment as prevention’ and ‘on-demand PrEP’ has revealed more progress.
This is contained in a statement issued at the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday.
NAN reports that the conference, which is the largest gathering on HIV and AIDS in the world, is organised by the International AIDS Society (IAS).
Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker, IAS President and International Chair of AIDS 2018, said it was a new era in HIV prevention, adding the studies had helped point a way forward.
“If we deliver prevention advances where they’re needed most and at scale, we can greatly reduce the number of new infections worldwide,” she said.
She stated that the conference had highlighted five HIV prevention studies, selected from nearly 3,000 scientific abstracts being presented.
Frank Tomaka of Janssen Research and Development said that a study on APPROACH HIV vaccine revealed positive new long-term data.
“The study enrolled not more than 400 HIV-negative adults in the US, East Africa, South Africa and Thailand.
Tomaka reports showed that participants who received the most promising regimen achieved high and persistent immune responses that were maintained until week 78 (30 weeks after the fourth dose),” he said.
Tomaka said the data from the study already helped lead to a proof-of-concept efficacy study in women at risk for HIV, adding that the study known as Imbokodo, is now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa.
Allison Rodger of University College London said a study have confirmed viral suppression prevents HIV transmission in gay male couples.
Rodger stated that previous studies, including PARTNER1 and Opposites Attract, found no cases of HIV transmission in these kinds of couples, but the level of evidence has remained less than for heterosexual couples.
The study enrolled 972 serodifferent gay couples in 14 European countries and results showed that despite almost 75,000 condomless sex acts, there were zero cases of HIV transmission between the partners.
Jean-Michel Molina of the University of Paris Diderot said that results from Prevenir, an ongoing observational study, revealed that on-demand PrEP was an effective strategy for preventing HIV acquisition in at-risk MSM.
Molina stated that at enrolment, 44 per cent of participants used PrEP daily and 53 per cent used it on demand.
She stated that the study found no breakthrough HIV infections among men taking PrEP “on demand” or those taking it daily, recommending continuous use of both dosing regimens in the population.
Akarin Hiransuthikul of Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre said feminising hormone therapy may reduce PrEP efficacy among transgender women.
The iFACT study in Thailand studied PrEP use in 20 transgender women who had never undergone orchiectomy (removal of the testicles) and had not received injectable feminising hormone therapy within six months.
Hiransuthikul said study volunteers started taking feminising hormone therapy at the beginning of the study with PrEP in week three, saying results showed lower plasma tenofovir exposure in the presence of feminising hormone therapy.
“These data suggest that feminising hormone therapy may affect PrEP efficacy among transgender women. Further studies are warranted to determine whether these reductions in tenofovir are clinically significant,” she said.
Sara Browne of University of California San Diego said that the study on ‘digital PrEP’, a novel formulation of the PrEP pill that has a tiny, embedded and ingestible sensor was positive.
Browne said that the single-arm and open-label study enrolled 60 HIV-negative men who wished to take PrEP.
She stated that the result of the study showed that digital PrEP was pharmacokinetically equivalent to regular PrEP and 92 per cent of participants reported having a positive experience with the system. (NAN)
TAA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Plateau virology centre ready to provide HIV Serology – Manager

Plateau virology centre ready to provide HIV Serology – Manager
By Blessing Odega (07031900307)
Accreditation
Jos, July 24, 2018 (NAN) The Plateau State Human Virology Research Centre (PLASVIREC) Laboratory has been accredited to provide HIV Serology and Viral load procedures to the general public.
The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS), which accredited the centre, described PLASVIREC as competent and excellent.
Mr IIle Mamman, the PLASVIREC Laboratory Manager, disclosed this on Tuesday in Jos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that with the accreditation, the centre has acquired a national and international recognition, and competent to provide HIV serology, HIV Viral Load.
“We can also conduct Early Infant Diagnosis for HIV exposed infant using standard procedure and good laboratory practices.
“The accreditation of the centre will improve the quality of HIV data which would in turn enhance the quality of test results for the effective treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS,” he said.
Mamman said that the feat would make give clients more confidence in the accuracy of their test reports because it has been generated by competent staff with the aid of reliable equipment.
“It will also increase productivity, credibility of result and in turn decrease clients complains,” the manager said.
According to him, the present status of the centre will greatly attract national and international research collaboration, which will also boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state and the country at large. (NAN)
UBO/KTO/MST
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Bauchi Govt establishes 323 HIV centres

Bauchi Govt establishes 323 HIV centres
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Centres
Bauchi, May 8, 2018 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government has established 323 Prevention of Mother to Child (PMTC) HIV centres across the state.
‎The Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tubaerculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr Mansur Dada, disclosed this on Tuesday in Bauchi when he received members of the Advocacy Knowledge Management Committee (AKMC) of the Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Newborn Health (BASAM) who visited.
‎Dada said the establishment of the PMTC centres in all the wards across the state was to ensure that all pregnant mothers that were HIV positive receive adequate healthcare service.
‎“This is to prevent them from transmitting the virus to their babies,” he said.
‎He explained that the there were only 120 centres when this administration came into office in 2015.
‎“We have only 120 PMTC centres in the state which are inadequate to cater for our HIV pregnant mothers.
‎“So we have to expand it to 323 centres; which means we now have one centre in each ward across the state.
“The state is committed to addressing the five diseases of Malaria, tuberculosis,‎ Leprosy and HIV/AIDS for a healthy society,” he said.
‎‎Dada said the agency had trained more than 700 health workers on PMTC, adding “we now have two health personnel in each PMTC centre’’.
‎“We have being providing them with anti-retroviral drugs and other commodities to ensure they live a healthy life.
‎“With this intervention, we are sure of seeing changes during pregnancy and after delivery among the pregnant women that are HIV positive,” he said.
‎Earlier, the Chairman of BASAM, Mr Isa Ladan, called on BACATMA to make data available on number of HIV positive pregnant women in the state.
“And to ensure that the HIV pregnant women receive anti-retroviral drugs,’’ Ladan.
‎He enjoined the management to ensure adequate distribution on Long Lasting Insecticide Net LLINS to mothers and babies.
‎The BASAM chairman also called on the agency to ensure that malaria was reduced to barest minimum in the state, especially among mothers and new born to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. (NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

NGO donates 18,000 wheel chairs

NGO donates 18,000 wheel chairs
NAN-HG-4
Discrimination
By Martha Agas
Jos, March 1, 2018 (NAN) Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre, an NGO, has donated 18,000 wheel chairs to needy persons in the country from its establishment in 1998 to date.
Mr Ayuba Gufwan, the Founder of the organization, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Jos that they were campaigning against discrimination of People With Disabilities (PWDs).
Gufwan expressed worry over the hardship PWDs face in accessing basic necessities of life especially education, saying many children living with disabilities were frustrated when seeking admission in tertiary institutions.
“They are hardly given their choice courses but instead mostly awarded special education courses implying they would only do better in such courses.
“Most institutions do not make provisions for ramps for the physically challenged to move easily, they often change their courses because of that inconvenience,’’ he alleged.
He said the discrimination impedes their productivity whilst ruining efforts of their reintegration in the society.
“Concerted efforts with key stakeholders and proper funding by international organisations would address their struggles,’’ he said.
On Zero Day against discrimination, Gufwan said the day was set aside as a period of reflection for members of the society towards making conscious efforts to create enabling environment for PWDs to reach their peaks in life while condemning parents who abandon their children because of their disabilities.
NAN reports that the Zero Discrimination day against discrimination was first celebrated in 2014 by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDs.
It is celebrated annually on March 1 as part of efforts to bare the ills and implications of discrimination in all forms, including racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, age and of people living with disabilities.
The centre was established in Jos to construct, distribute and donate wheel chairs to PWDs as part of the contribution of the founder who is also a physically challenged person to better their lives. (NAN)
MAA/WDM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

CSOs seek alternative financing in HIV response

CSOs seek alternative financing in HIV response
NAN-HG-9
HIV/AIDS
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Feb.16, 2018 (NAN) The Association of Civil Society on HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (ACSAN) has called on state governments to invest in HIV and AIDS response to reduce dependency on foreign donors.

Mr Nwakamma Ikenna, the Executive Secretary, ACSAN, made the call while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

According to Ikenna, the need for government commitment to ownership and sustainability of HIV response in the country cannot be over emphasised, hence the need for alternative financing.

He said that it was important to involve all the state governments in the national response as an alternative source.

This, he said, would ensure that they have budget lines for HIV and AIDS in 2018 national budget with clear commitment to release approved budgets.

He noted that funding HIV and AIDS was not the responsibility of the Federal Government alone, adding that every tier of government has a role to play in the face of dwindling funds from international donors.

“We want the state governments to support the response which will go a long way in supporting people living with the epidemic who have no access to Anti-retro-viral medication in rural communities.

“The present financing mechanism with donor partners contributing more than 75 per cent of the national funding for HIV and AID’s response is not sustainable.

“The dependency on foreign donors has lasted longer than is acceptable and some states in Nigeria have the resources to take up the responsibility such as Delta and Akwa-Ibom which are very rich states.

“HIV and AIDS is a national security issue and we want the state governments to start programming around the health of its citizens, we have heard lots of commitments, we want to see implementation,’’ Ikenna added.

According to him, government needs to express the political will, by including persons living with the epidemic in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He stressed the need for more transparency and accountability in implementation of the HIV response in Nigeria.

Ikenna said the association was set to engage the government, stakeholders, and members of the public more constructively and intellectually in providing transparency in the process.

“We will be engaging in the budgetary and legislative processes, also engaging both the state and Federal Government parliamentarians in HIV and AIDS matters.

“We will set up an accountability system in all the funded areas as well as track funds released by global fund and fund from the President Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

“The association wants to know when and how funds are released as well as what they are spent on,’’ he said.

The executive secretary further decried the lack of data base in Nigeria for Persons Living with HIV and AIDs in the country.

He said that the available data, which was produced by international organisations such as UNAIDS, and UNICEF among others, does not reflect the facts about its members.

According to him, there is the need for a comprehensive data base, and urged the government to invest in developing one through the involvement of the association for a more effective response.

Ikenna also urged cooperate and public organisations, well-meaning Nigerians, and philanthropists among others to support HIV response as its social responsibility to the citizens.

“There is need to create an AIDs Trust Fund, where organisations such as Tele-communications, coca-cola companies and Government of China among others could get involved in building a healthy nation.’’

NAN reports that ACSAN is an umbrella body of recognised civil society networks in Nigeria on HIV response.

They include Association of Women Living with HIV in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Association of HIV Positive Youths in Nigeria (APYIN), Nigeria Diversity Networks, and Society for Women Against AIDS in Nigeria (SWAAN), among others.

ACSAN gives voice to stakeholders, promotes transparency quality and accountability for HIV programming. (NAN)

TIM/NNO/EEE
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Ese E. Ekama

General news

World Condom Day: Foundation to test 43,000 for HIV

NAN-HG-14
Condom
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Feb. 8, 2018 (NAN) An NGO, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), says it will distribute 300,000 condoms and carry out test on 43,000 people on HIV to commemorate the 2018 World Condom Day.

Mr Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, (AHF) Nigeria, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Aborisade said that the activities which would hold in six states, were to commemorate the 2018 World Condom Day, slated for Feb. 13.

International Condom Day seeks to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms are thin rubber covers that a man wears on his penis during sexual intercourse as a contraceptive or as protection against STIs.

The theme is entitled: “Always in Fashion’’.

“The foundation will be celebrating the global day on Feb.13 in Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Kogi, Nassarawa and Abuja.

“The activities will help to increase awareness and promote the prevention of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), safer sex, preventing HIV and unwanted pregnancies.

“Across the states, AHF will conduct both static and mobile HIV testing and public awareness programmes to provide condom education, while distributing free condoms to encourage safer sexual practices.

“According to UNICEF, the trend of early sexual debut in Nigeria begins at less than 15 years.

“It has also been discovered that for 15 per cent of Nigeria youths, and the practice of multiple sexual partners also increases HIV vulnerability among them,’’ Aborisade said.

Also, Mr Greg Abiaziem, the acting Country Programme Manager of AHF, said that it was important to arrest the trend of new HIV infection gripping Nigerian youths through the preaching of abstinence.

“It is important to abstain from sex or use condom to prevent STDs, including HIV and unwanted pregnancies.

“It has become important to ensure condom option is made available as preventive measure to youths who cannot abstain from sex as new HIV infections highest among young persons from 15 to 24 years.

“The National Data also suggests that about 4.2 per cent of young persons from 15 to 24 years are living with HIV,’’ Abiaziem said.

In his remarks, Mr Terri Ford, the Chief Global Policy, Advocacy and Marketing, said that condom were under attack in the realm of global public health with the government and international agencies slashing funds.

Ford said that this would likely lead to more infections worldwide.

He said that the day would reinvigorate the message that condom gives fun and a fashionable way to protect oneself and partner.

Ford further reinforced the tenet that condom should be made available free to anyone who needs them.

NAN reports that AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organisation in the world that provides medical care to over 855,000 clients in 39 countries.

AHF Nigeria has been operating in the country since 2011 and has its presence in six states. (NAN)
TIM/JIE/GOK
=======
Edited by Julius Enehikhuere/Olagoke Olatoye

Health

Female genital cutting, higher risk of HIV – Medical Directors

Female genital cutting, higher risk of HIV – Medical Directors
NAN-H-55
HIV
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Feb. 6, 2018 (NAN) Dr Chito Nwana, the Chairperson, Guild of Medical Directors, FCT chapter, has warned that the use of unsterilised equipment for female genital mutilation could lead to HIV and AIDS.
Nwana said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday Abuja to commemorate the International Day for Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
According to her, FGM is a procedure performed especially as a cultural rite that typically includes the total or partial excision of the female external genitalia.
“FGM should be totally discouraged by those parts of country still practicing due to cultural beliefs.
“The cutting of genital tissues with the same surgical instrument without sterilisation could increase the risk for transmission of HIV between girls who undergo female genital mutilation together,” Nwana warned.
She said there was also an increased risk of adverse health outcomes with increased severity of FGM.
Nwana said FGM violates the rights of women and girls to health, protection and even life as the procedure sometimes results in death.
“Long term health risks include chronic pain, reproductive tract infections, birth complications and psychological consequences.
“An increased risk for bleeding during intercourse may increase the risk for HIV transmission.
“The increased prevalence of herpes in women subjected to FGM may also increase the risk for HIV infection, as genital herpes is a risk factor in the transmission of HIV,” she said.
The chairperson however called for consistent awareness in parts of the country practising FGM and risks associated with it.
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is a UN campaign held on Feb. 6 annually to stop genital mutilation on girls and women.
Various activities and events are held each year to promote the UN’s campaign to raise awareness and educate people about the dangers of FGM. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FACA begins research to tackle spread of HIV virus

NAN-HG-4
Survey
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Oct. 26, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS (FACA) says it has commenced survey to find workable solutions to tackle the spread of HIV among adolescent girls in the territory.
The Project Manager of the agency, Dr Uche Okoro, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
Okoro said that the survey, which is known as Action Research, would be done in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH) and the Institute for Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife.
He explained that the research would be community-based that involved the people themselves to bring up suggestions, views and ideas on how to address the HIV spread among adolescent girls.
Okoro said that the effort was to provide prevention services for them.
He said FACA had already conducted a baseline survey to find out vulnerability factor among young girls from 15 to 24 years of age.
According to him, adolescent children are among people that spread HIV virus in various communities across the country.
The project manager noted that it was also a concern for the agency that this group of people have not been coming out to access its HIV prevention services.
Okoro said that the service included HIV counselling and testing, treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and use of condoms.
He said that his agency begun the research in two area councils of Gwagwalada and Bwari.
“The research is a paradigm shift to involve the people themselves, find out from them on what ways they want us to deliver our services to them,” he said. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola