Olakunde BO, Adeyinka DA, Olawepo JO, et al.
Despite a scaled-up national response, Nigeria still contributes the greatest number of HIV-infected infants worldwide, reflecting persistent gaps in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). Drawing on policy documents, research literature, and the WHO health systems framework, this paper explores Nigeria's achievements and challenges in eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. Achievements include increasing PMTCT sites, decentralizing and integrating PMTCT care, adopting task-shifting to address workforce shortages, pursuing alternative domestic funding, and harmonizing health information systems. Persistent challenges include difficulty identifying HIV-infected pregnant women due to low antenatal care uptake, interrupted medical commodity supplies, healthcare worker knowledge gaps, and the absence of a national unique identifier system. The authors conclude that elimination will require feasible, culturally acceptable, and sustainable interventions addressing these health system challenges.
View Full Paper on International Health