The Federal Government has inaugurated an expanded Technical Working Group (TWG) focused on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis.

The new structure now includes experts in malaria, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare officially inaugurated the expanded TWG at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, emphasizing the need to move from a single-disease focus to an integrated approach.

Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom while speaking said, “This expansion aligns with the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint under the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) being implemented through the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp).

Kachollom noted that the TWG’s members were carefully selected to drive the elimination of vertical transmission

In his words, “Over the past decade, Nigeria has made significant improvements in reducing the vertical transmission of HIV. Yet, parallel efforts against syphilis, hepatitis B, and malaria in pregnancy cannot be over-emphasized.

“This has led to missed opportunities for comprehensive maternal and child services. 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 praised the First Lady’s “Free to Shine” maternal health campaign for its contributions in raising awareness and engaging communities and leaders.

The Ministry, under the Triple Elimination initiative, has distributed HIV/syphilis dual test kits nationwide and plans to introduce free hepatitis B testing and treatment for pregnant women.

“Through this effort, we have increased the screening of pregnant women for syphilis by over 60% (Automated Reagin Test – ART).
The planned introduction of free hepatitis B testing, free treatment and care for the positive pregnant women will improve identification, as well as reducing the rate of transmission of Hepatitis B from mother to their unborn children, he said”.

Kachollom urged the 55-member TWG to collaborate closely with stakeholders and provide regular updates on their progress and challenges.

Earlier, Dr. Paul Ntadom, Director of the Public Health Department (represented by the Director of the Port Health Division), commended NASCP for its leadership in organizing the platform.

The Federal Government has commended Nigerian healthcare professionals in the diaspora for their sustained contributions to healthcare delivery in the country, describing their efforts as vital to the system’s sustainability and growth.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, gave the commendation during the gala night of the just-concluded Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) 31st Annual Scientific Convention and 30th anniversary celebration, held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The remarks were contained in a statement signed over the weekend by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations.

Looking back at ANPA’s three-decade-long existence, Dr. Salako acknowledged its “diligent and unwavering commitment to conducting medical missions to Nigeria, enhancing capacity building of Nigerian-based healthcare professionals, providing medical interventions to the less privileged, and donating materials to health facilities across Nigeria.”

The Minister conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s deep appreciation to Nigerian diaspora healthcare professionals for their commitment, noting that their services align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

In his address, Dr. Salako emphasized the government’s prioritization of health as a fundamental right and urgent need for all Nigerians. He referenced the newly developed National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) as a key step in that direction.

“We have developed a health sector investment initiative as a blueprint to prevent physical and financial pains, to save lives and, to provide healthcare for all Nigerians,” the Minister explained.

He highlighted several milestone initiatives undertaken by the Ministry and stated that the government is committed to unlocking the value chain in the health sector.

He urged diaspora professionals to take part by investing in local manufacturing, noting the availability of free tariffs on imported raw materials and active pharmaceutical inputs.

The Minister also pointed out that budgetary allocations for healthcare have seen steady increases under the current administration, which has enabled a policy for seamless recruitment of healthcare workers, eliminating former bureaucratic bottlenecks.

He further informed ANPA members that funding to healthcare regulatory bodies has been fully restored—a shift from the previous administration’s policies.

Additionally, he noted the strengthening of domestic health sector financing, especially in response to challenges with USAID support.

“One clear example is that when the challenge around USAID funding came, the federal government quickly rose and covered the gap, provided in excess of $200 million in the budget of 2025 to ensure that projects around HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and so on and so forth, that are being funded by external support does not suffer,” Dr. Salako further highlighted.

ANPA President, Dr. Cliff Eke, speaking at the event, called for stronger partnerships between diaspora and Nigerian-based physicians to improve healthcare access and quality for the country’s over 250 million citizens.

He emphasized the mission’s sub-theme: “Aligning the Health Sector and Diaspora to Improve Healthcare in Nigeria.”

This year’s 2025 ANPA medical mission, themed “Advancing Patient Care: Leadership, Research, and Strategic Investment,” recorded significant impact—over 500 surgeries and dental procedures were performed, including dental implants, advanced laparoscopic colectomies, gynecologic surgeries, 387 cataract surgeries, and 30 glaucoma operations, all completed within three days at the Indo Eye Clinic—the first of its kind in Nigeria. Other interventions included postpartum care and related services.

These medical interventions, according to ANPA President, were conducted in partnership with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Federal Medical Centre Ebute-Metta, Indo Eye Clinic, Rotary International Districts 9111 and 9112, and over 150 local clinics across the country.