NIGERIA: Little access to cheap HIV/AIDS drugs

A Lagos-based NGO on Tuesday said despite HIV/AIDS drugs in Nigeria being among the cheapest in the world, many people still had problems accessing them.

At present, a month's supply of antiretrovirals costs US $8.00 per person.

Earlier this year, the government announced an additional 100 centres for the treatment and care of people living with HIV/AIDS.

However, ActionHealth said the existing number of centres were not enough to treat Nigeria's HIV-positive.

"The number of people without treatment by far outweighs those who are on antiretrovirals. People must travel long distances to access these drugs," co-founder of ActionHealth, Dr Uwem Esiat, told the UN news service PlusNews.

UNAIDS estimates that 5.8 of the country's adults aged between 15 and 49 are HIV-positive.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]