Lagos Trains 330 Health Workers to Strengthen HIV Prevention Efforts
The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOMLPforR), has trained 330 healthcare workers to enhance the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV across the state.
The two-day intensive training focused on equipping healthcare providers, mentor mothers, and laboratory personnel with the skills needed to manage HIV-positive pregnant women, ensure early infant diagnosis, and provide postpartum care.
According to Mazeedat Erinosho, SOMLPforR Program Manager, Lagos has over 60 PMTCT sites where trained mentor mothers guide and support HIV-positive expectant mothers, ensuring they receive continuous care throughout pregnancy and delivery.
“Saving One Million Lives is committed to improving maternal and child health outcomes. This training is a key strategy to equip health workers with the necessary knowledge to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV,” Erinosho stated.
Victoria Egunjobi, Director of Disease Control at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, described HIV as a major public health concern that requires sustained preventive and curative efforts. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring quality HIV services are accessible across the state.
“HIV is now treated as a chronic illness, and it is our responsibility to ensure both preventive and treatment services are available,” Egunjobi said.
The training engaged:
• 120 healthcare workers, trained in linking HIV-positive pregnant women from traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to PMTCT programs.
• 120 laboratory technicians, trained in early infant diagnosis, including sample collection, storage, and transportation.
• 90 mentor mothers, tasked with providing psychosocial support and ensuring patient retention in HIV care.
Lagos State HIV Program Coordinator, Oladipupo Fisher, emphasized the importance of early testing during antenatal care and specialized delivery procedures to minimize HIV transmission risks.
“Proper collection and analysis of Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples is crucial for early infant diagnosis. This training ensures our laboratory officers can handle these samples efficiently, leading to better medical outcomes,” Fisher noted.
Beyond medical intervention, mentor mothers play a crucial role in ensuring HIV-positive pregnant women remain in care. Fisher explained that these trained women, who are also living with HIV, serve as counselors, guiding expectant mothers and reassuring them that they can give birth to HIV-free babies.
With postnatal follow-ups and early infant diagnosis at six weeks, the Lagos State Government remains committed to reducing vertical HIV transmission rates and improving health outcomes for mothers and infants.
