FG Inaugurates Expanded Prevention of Mother-to- Child Transmission of HIV/SYPHILIS/HEPATITIS

• 8The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has officially inaugurated an Expanded Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (E-PMTCT) Technical Working Group (TWG). The new structure integrates representatives from malaria, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health sectors, marking a significant shift from a single-disease approach to a collaborative, integrated strategy in Nigeria’s fight against HIV, syphilis, and viral hepatitis.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, mni, stated that the expansion of the TWG is in line with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint under the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), implemented through the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp).

“The expansion aligns with our commitment to deliver integrated maternal and child health services. Membership of this Technical Working Group was carefully selected by the Ministry to ensure we successfully eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and malaria,” Kachollom said.

She noted that while Nigeria has made significant progress in reducing the vertical transmission of HIV over the past decade, efforts against other infections during pregnancy have lagged.

“Parallel efforts against syphilis, hepatitis B, and malaria in pregnancy cannot be overemphasized. This has led to missed opportunities for comprehensive maternal and child services,” Kachollom stated. “Therefore, this expanded TWG embodies our resolve to harmonize these critical programmes into one coordinated, data-driven response, ensuring every pregnant woman benefits from integrated care at every contact point.”

She also acknowledged the contribution of the “Free to Shine” maternal health campaign championed by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, praising its impact in raising awareness and mobilizing communities and leaders around maternal and child health.

Highlighting progress under the Ministry’s Triple Elimination initiative targeting HIV, maternal syphilis, and hepatitis B transmission, Kachollom announced the procurement and distribution of HIV/Syphilis dual test kits to all states.

“Through this effort, we have increased the screening of pregnant women for syphilis by over 60% using the Automated Reagin Test (ART). The planned introduction of free hepatitis B testing, and treatment for pregnant women who test positive, will further reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary urged the newly inaugurated 55-member E-PMTCT TWG to collaborate closely with stakeholders and international partners, while also providing regular updates on progress, challenges, and recommendations.

Earlier in the event, Dr. Paul Ntadom, Director of the Public Health Department and Chairman of the PMTCT TWG—represented by the Director, Port Health Division—commended the National HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) for its leadership in convening the platform.

Supporting this, Dr. Adebobola Adebashorun, Director and National Coordinator of NASCP and Vice Chair of the TWG, announced plans to establish a situation room and electronic dashboard by October 2025 to track all interventions under the expanded TWG.

The Terms of Reference for the TWG include:

Providing strategic oversight, coordination, and guidance for integrated PMTCT interventions in line with the SWAp initiative led by the Coordinating Minister and the Hon. Minister of State.

Presenting evaluations and progress reports to both the RMNCAEH and ATM SWAp TWGs using a unified data approach.

Guiding collaboration with state, local government, and facility-level stakeholders to improve service delivery.