The Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, has raised the alarm over the high rate of children living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV, in Nigeria. According to Council, an estimated 160,000 children are living with HIV in Nigeria, with only 45,000 receiving treatment.
As a result of this alarming rate, the CCN urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS scourge among children in the country.
The Council made the disclosure at weekend during the close-out ceremony of the HIV intervention programme in Abuja. The programme was implemented in collaboration with the World Council of Churches, WCC.
Speaking at the event, the CCN President, Most Rev. David Onuoha, represented by Archbishop Peter ogunmuyiwa, decried the high number of children living with HIV in Nigeria. He, therefore, stressed the need for urgent action by the Government and stakeholders to address the situation.
He said, “Our mission is to identify with the needy and less privileged. And to make a positive impact on their lives. Our efforts have been enriching and impactful. We are committed to combating the HIV epidemic in our society. And we urge all relevant NGOs and government agencies to join us in this crusade.
“While we have made some progress in preventing the transmission of HIV from mother to child, we still have much work to do. According to statistics, Nigeria has a high number of children who are HIV victims – 160,000. With only 45,000 undergoing treatments. This is unacceptable. And we must do more to address this issue.”
The WCC representative, Ms. Gracias Ross, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
She, however, lamented that “160,000 children are living with HIV. She pointed that over two million people are living with HIV in Nigeria. They will have partners and children. In what condition will these children be born?
“We must change things. If these children are alone and don’t have a family, the church has to be their family. This is the calling that we should become the father of the fatherless. And fight for the widows and fight for justice.
“You can imagine how many young people don’t have any positive orientation on sexuality. So, the Church should be bringing light to these large numbers of young people in Nigeria who are not having information.”
In his remark, the General Secretary of the CCN, Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara, appreciated the WCC’s support. He thanked them for their support in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
Onyemara also used the occasion to highlight the success stories from the programme’s implementation in several States.
source: VANGUARD
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