Abstract
IntroductionWith the first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) identified in 1986, the management of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has evolved through the years. The emergency phase of the HIV/AIDS program, aimed at containing the HIV/AIDS epidemic within a short time frame, was carried out by international agencies that built structures separate from hospitals’ programs. It is imperative that Nigeria shifts from the previous paradigm to the concept of Commonization of HIV to achieve sustainability. Commonization ensures that HIV/AIDS is seen as a health condition like others. It involves making HIV services available at all levels of healthcare.MethodsExcellence & Friends Management Consult (EFMC) undertook this process by conducting HIV tests in people's homes and work places, referring infected persons for treatment and follow up, establishing multiple HIV testing points and HIV services in private and public primary healthcare facilities. EFMC integrated HIV services within existing hospital care structures and trained all healthcare workers at all supported sites on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment modalities.ResultsCommonization has improved the uptake of HIV testing and counseling and enrolment into HIV care as more people are aware that HIV services are available. It has integrated HIV services into general hospital services and minimized the cost of HIV programming as the existing structures and personnel in healthcare facilities are utilized for HIV services.ConclusionCommonization of HIV services i.e. integrating HIV care into the existing fabric of the healthcare system, is highly recommended for a sustainable and efficient healthcare system as it makes HIV services acceptable by all.
Highlights
With the first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) identified in 1986, the management of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has evolved through the years
It is estimated that 3,400,000 adults and children in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of the Federation are living with HIV with about 260,000 new infections occurring annually [2]
One hundred and twenty-one public and private healthcare facilities were engaged during this process over 18 months in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa and Imo States of Nigeria
Summary
With the first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) identified in 1986, the management of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has evolved through the years. Commonization ensures that HIV/AIDS is seen as a health condition like others It involves making HIV services available at all levels of healthcare. Results: Commonization has improved the uptake of HIV testing and counseling and enrolment into HIV care as more people are aware that HIV services are available It has integrated HIV services into general hospital services and minimized the cost of HIV programming as the existing structures and personnel in healthcare facilities are utilized for HIV services. HIV services are provided through vertical programs with specialized personnel, separate laboratories and specific clinic days. This programming model is expensive, unsustainable and fuels stigma and discrimination among HIV-infected and affected persons
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