NACA DG: No Cure for HIV, But Effective Prevention Exists

Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), confirmed that there is currently no cure for HIV.

However, she highlighted effective prevention and treatment options available to protect individuals from acquiring the virus and assist those living with it. Speaking at a media training on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Ilori urged Nigerians to utilize available prevention methods and encouraged journalists to disseminate accurate information about HIV.

She explained that PrEP involves the use of antiretroviral drugs by HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection, detailing various options such as daily oral medication, injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), and lenacapavir (LenPrEP), which is currently in a pilot program in Nigeria. Ilori reported approximately 45,000 new HIV infections in Nigeria last year and emphasized the need for better information among young people to combat rising infection rates.

She also called for efforts to reduce HIV-related stigma and misinformation.