FG introduces toolkits for early infant HIV diagnosis in Taraba, Rivers
The Federal Ministry of Health has made the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) Optimisation Toolkits for Taraba and Rivers public through the National HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, and STIs Control Programme (NASCP).
The initiative’s goal was to improve paediatric HIV early infant diagnosis services in these states, according to Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
This toolkit, developed in partnership with the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) and the ministry, represents a significant milestone in improving healthcare quality in the United States, according to Pate, who was accompanied by Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of NASCP.
To improve care for moms, babies, and families as a whole, he emphasised the toolkit’s thorough processes and instruments for quality improvement.
The EID Point of Care (POC) Optimisation project, which used the Programme Optimisation Approach to great benefit, was instrumental in the development of the toolkit, and the beneficial effects on programme indicators are proof of that.
Pate emphasised the toolkit’s capacity for more generalised uses, providing useful information and resources to enhance healthcare services in many parts of the world.
The country director of EGPAF, Dr. Avese Torbunde, thanked everyone involved and urged continued cooperation to overcome obstacles in the battle against paediatric HIV.
Project DELTA 2, launched in 2022 by EGPAF, was praised by Torbunde as a crucial effort that offered extensive technical support, capacity development, and knowledge on how to conduct programmes.
Health system strengthening, strategic information, and other high-impact technical techniques are all part of the project’s larger objective of optimising the impact of HIV-related activities.
Torbunde stressed that the improvement of paediatric HIV and PMTCT services in Nigeria, specifically in the states of Abia, Benue, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers, was the primary goal of the initiative.
The partnership between EGPAF, the NASCP, and the state health ministries as well as the CDC Lead Implementing Partners demonstrates EGPAF’s dedication to including stakeholders and having a shared goal.
The importance of the toolkit in strengthening the state’s response to paediatric HIV was emphasised by Dr. Garba Danjuma, Director-General of the Taraba State AIDS Control Agency.
The need of minimising risks, making the most of available resources, and fairly distributing them to those in need were all points he made.
Danjuma praised the EGPAF Project’s multi-faceted assistance, which included community development and capacity building, and expressed Taraba’s proactive commitment to maintaining progress in the battle against HIV in Nigeria.