Osun, US CDC Launce HIV Treatment Surge

Osun State Government has through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), launched its HIV Treatment Surge initiative.

U.S. CDC Country Director, Mary Boyd, speaking at the launch event, emphasized that Surge efforts in health facilities and with communities were not business as usual for the state’s HIV program.

She said it has rather intensified an innovative approaches, and partnerships to increase the number of people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment.

 “A lot of hard work will be needed to reach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goal (having 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those people on antiretrovirals (ART), and 95% of those on ART reaching viral suppression), but with the support of the Government of Osun, communities, and partners, I have no doubt this Surge will propel the state to ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat and thereby save many lives.” She said.

 Reports said presently, Osun State has almost 30,000 people estimated to be living with HIV, 13,500 of which are yet to be identified and placed on treatment, adding that through intensified and innovative strategies, the HIV Treatment Surge aimed to quickly close the gap, and achieve treatment saturation.

According to reports, the Surge also aimed to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies and enhance adolescent and key populations services, thereby ensuring an AIDS-free generation. 

 Speaking with the Osun State Governor before the event, U.S. Consul General Will Stevens, highlighted the need for equitable access to HIV services across the state.

“We must ensure we reach the most vulnerable populations, like women, adolescents, and children, with testing and treatment. We must also ensure equitable access to care for key and hard-reach populations.” Stevens said.

 According to US CDC, the Osun State HIV Treatment Surge was one of many that have taken place in states since 2019.

It explained that the Surges have been identified and placed hundreds of thousands of people on life-saving treatment across the country, a remarkable accomplishment that is even more notable for its obtainment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 As of March 2023, 1.8 million Nigerians are receiving HIV treatments via PEPFAR as the country moves closer to its goal of reaching HIV epidemic control.