Nigeria enrolls 6.5M pregnant women in its national triple elimination program

NIGERIA—Nigeria has enrolled more than 6.5 million pregnant women in its triple elimination programme, a national initiative designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

Tajudeen Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of the Global Fund, announced the milestone at the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Abuja.

Ibrahim attributed the achievement to stronger data management systems, wider health facility coverage, and focused nationwide interventions.

He noted that Nigeria had previously fallen behind several West African neighbours in delivering essential health services to pregnant women, making this turnaround particularly significant.

HIV testing and treatment progress

In 2025, 99 per cent of pregnant women received HIV testing, surpassing the national target of 95 per cent, while partner testing reached the 95 per cent mark.

Despite this progress, Ibrahim reported 42,000 new HIV infections in 2025 and noted that antiretroviral (ARV) coverage stood at 77 percent—a figure that signals the need for intensified efforts to reach those still without treatment.

He stressed that these gains, alongside broader health innovations, form part of Nigeria’s wider ambition to move from basic to quality healthcare delivery.

Tackling tuberculosis and malaria

Beyond HIV, Ibrahim highlighted substantial advances in tuberculosis (TB) and malaria control.

Community-based detection efforts identified 2.8 million TB cases in 2025, with over 3,000 successfully treated.

Furthermore, the National TB and Leprosy Initiative (NLI) set a 2026 target of 500,000 participants, but enrolment has already reached 1.1 million—more than double the goal.

On the malaria front, 98 percent of detected cases in supported facilities received timely treatment, 97 percent received appropriate therapy, and approximately 8,800 health facilities—including those backed by the President’s Malaria Initiative—participated in interventions.

Digital Tools, Funding, and Infrastructure

Nigeria is also deploying digital portable chest X-rays to detect TB and HIV among vulnerable groups.

The Global Fund has provided USD 3 million for governance and capacity building, along with USD701 million in programmatic funding.

To strengthen the health supply chain, authorities have upgraded and equipped 22 warehouses across the country.

Ibrahim also noted that 92 per cent of health facilities now report data on time, reflecting improvements in health management information systems.

Challenges that remain

Ibrahim acknowledged that critical challenges persist, including staffing shortages, low ARV coverage, and data gaps in parts of the system.

He credited the progress achieved so far to strategic planning, coordinated partnerships, and integrated health interventions.

“Through coordinated efforts, improved data systems, and quality care initiatives, Nigeria can continue to close gaps in HIV, TB, and malaria programmes and maximise opportunities to save lives,” he said.