Thousands of Nigerian children remain undiagnosed with HIV, experts warn
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Health experts and development partners have expressed concern that thousands of children in Nigeria are still undiagnosed and untreated for HIV. This issue was highlighted at the 2026 Paediatric Breakthrough Partnership Linking and Learning Meeting in Abuja, hosted by the Society for Family Health in collaboration with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Yusuf Dayyabu, representing the Chief Executive Officer of the Society for Family Health, stated that many children are being missed, infants are not diagnosed early enough, and opportunities to prevent transmission are lost. Data from 2023 shows over 285,000 children, adolescents, and pregnant and breastfeeding women received HIV services, with 2,879 individuals identified and enrolled in care. However, Nigeria has one of the highest global burdens of paediatric HIV, with approximately 260,000 children aged 0–14 living with the virus. Only about 45 percent of HIV-positive children receive antiretroviral therapy, a lower rate than adults. Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme, described paediatric HIV as a public health and moral concern, noting that major gaps remain in reaching HIV-positive pregnant women, preventing loss to follow-up for HIV-exposed infants, and diagnosing children in the community. Dr. Aisha Dadi, Country Lead of the Paediatric Breakthrough Partnership, explained that children are harder to identify and often fall through
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the full sponsorship of 16 lecturers from the College of Medical Sciences at Yobe State University for postgraduate studies in India. This initiative aims to strengthen the college, secure full accreditation for its medical programs, and address manpower shortages. The lecturers will pursue master's degrees, with potential for PhD studies, in fields such as Human Anatomy, Physiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Biochemistry, and Medical Microbiology. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Bashir Tahir, stated that this will help the university achieve and maintain full medical accreditation and position its College of Medical Sciences as a center of excellence. The first group of sponsored lecturers has already departed for India, accompanied by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Muhammad Bello Kawuwa, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Professor Garba Mohammed Ashiru. Officials from Yobe State University also visited Integral University, Lucknow, to discuss broader academic collaborations in areas like agriculture, engineering, and technological development, through staff and student exchange programs, joint research, and curriculum development.
Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, announced that nationwide anti-crime operations conducted between June 9 and June 21, 2026, led to the arrest of 1,198 suspects for various offenses. These arrests included 151 for murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, and 104 suspected cultists, with an additional 169 persons arrested for unlawful possession of firearms. The operations also resulted in the rescue of 166 kidnap victims, and the recovery of 166 assorted firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition, and 47 stolen vehicles. Disu highlighted the successful rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as an example of effective joint security operations, emphasizing collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, other security agencies, and the public. He urged senior officers to maintain vigilance and adopt dynamic, threat-informed strategies, stressing that performance would be evaluated by security outcomes rather than the number of operations. Disu also called on citizens to continue sharing actionable information with law enforcement.
Must ReadThe Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency NIHSA has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27. NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, stated that rising water levels at key river monitoring stations have increased the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains. The affected states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. River levels at Saminaka on the Karam River, Waya Dam site on the Waya River, and Amber on the Amber River have exceeded watch and warning thresholds. Sixteen gauging stations nationwide are recording elevated river levels, putting nearby communities at risk. Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities, and residents of flood-prone communities to take immediate precautionary measures. Bauchi has the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities, and eight markets identified as vulnerable. Vulnerable communities and public facilities were also identified in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue states. Mohammed called on the National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agencies, local governments, and community leaders to activate emergency response plans, recommending the relocation of residents, livestock, and valuables from floodplains. He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies, and w