LAGOS, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria on Tuesday said it was set to implement new guidelines for HIV prevention, treatment and care to consolidate previous efforts in tackling the scourge.
The guideline would ensure that those affected by HIV receive free health service at all levels in both public and private health institutions, Minister of Health Isaac Adewole said at a forum in northern Kaduna State.
"From this day hence, everyone who tests positive to HIV is automatically eligible for treatment and this applies to everyone with equal emphasis, child, man and women, pregnant or not," he added.
"From today onward we are duty bound to offer antiretroviral drugs as prevention to all persons who are at high risk of contracting HIV infection," the minister told his audience.
"From today forward all persons on treatment are entitled to at least one viral load test per year," he said.
Adewole said the recommendations in the 2016 guidelines by current standard were audacious, unambiguous and apologetically pro-patient.
The minister appealed to state governments and other stakeholders to efficiently implement the recommendations of the guidelines to the later in an effort to tackle the menace.
Available statistics show that no fewer than 3.4 million people are currently affected by the HIV and AIDS scourge.
However, the health minister said, with the 2016 guidelines things would be better, as there were already 860,000 patients on Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) in some 1000 comprehensive HIV treatment centres.
According to him, that has led to the decline morbidity and mortality associated with HIV and AIDS in the country.
