NIGERIA EXPANDS HEALTH INSURANCE TO INCLUDE LIVER AND KIDNEY TESTS FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Nigeria is now offering annual liver and kidney function tests for people living with HIV through expanded national health insurance. Announced by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during the 2025 World AIDS Day in Abuja, the move addresses long-standing requests from the HIV community and strengthens efforts to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Dr. Salako highlighted ongoing reforms, including integrating HIV, TB, malaria, nutrition, and reproductive health services into a single platform to improve access, especially for children and adolescents. The government has also lowered the age for voluntary HIV testing from 18 to 14 to boost early diagnosis.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu emphasized ending stigma, preventing mother-to-child transmission, and supporting the Free to Shine campaign to protect mothers and children. She praised the government’s $200 million fund to sustain HIV, TB, and malaria services amid declining donor support.
NACA Director-General Dr. Temitope Ilori reported that Nigeria is progressing toward ending HIV as a public health threat, achieving strong results in diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression, though gaps remain in testing and early infant diagnosis.
The 2025 World AIDS Day theme, “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” underscores the nation’s commitment to an AIDS-free future.