******AHOA Boss, Dr. Adirieje Urges Action on Pediatric, Adolescent HIV Care in Africa
********”As Afrihealth Optomet Association Convened stakeholders Dialogue On Pediatric and adolescent HIV Care in Africa
Pediatric and adolescent HIV Care Across Africa: AHOA Boss, Dr Uzodinma Adirieje Urges Global Leaders to Ensure No Child is Left Behind
****”Sub-sahara Africa accounts for 88% of Children living with HIV globally”, AHOA Confirms
By Victor Bieni, Abuja
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Afrihealth Optonet Association, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, has called for urgent, coordinated action to address persistent gaps in pediatric and adolescent HIV care across Africa as he stated that Sub-sahara Africa accounts for 88% of Children living with HIV globally.
AHOA Boss has warned that inequities in access to services continue to undermine global progress against the epidemic as AHOA Convenes stakeholders dialogue on Pediatric Adolescent HIV in Africa.
Royal Paradise Media (News Online) learnt this from Nigerian Global Health & Development expert in a telephone conversation with our reporter today being on Saturday, May 2, 2026 as Afrihealth Optomet Association urges global leaders to ensure that no child is left behind as regards testing and treatment to resolve the disparities in Pediatric and adolescent HIV care in African Continent.
Speaking further to our reporter in the outcome of AHOA’s recently concluded Life and Health sixth Dialogue Session held on February 10, 2026, AHOA’s Programme Director & CEO, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, has stated that children and adolescents remain disproportionately affected despite advances in prevention and treatment.
In his words “Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 88 percent of children living with HIV globally. The treatment coverage for children remains below 60 percent in many countries. The following such as gender inequality, stigma, socio-economic barriers, and weak health systems are key drivers of limited access to testing, treatment, and long-term care. These factors had continued to restrict health outcomes for vulnerable groups”.
“The Dialogue was themed “Pediatric and Adolescent HIV in Africa: Equity, Financing and Data.” It brought together policymakers, health professionals, civil society actors, development partners, and youth representatives. The forum focused on three critical pillars: eliminating disparities in healthcare access, securing sustainable financing, and strengthening data systems”.
“On financing, we called for innovative approaches and stronger domestic resource mobilization. We stressed that African countries must reduce heavy reliance on external donors to scale up pediatric HIV programmes. Also, that strategic partnerships are vital for sustaining long-term interventions”.
“The 90-minute session featured presentations, panel discussions, and participatory engagements. Participants explored solutions to improve early infant diagnosis, expand treatment coverage, and enhance adolescent retention in care.We emphasized on the need for robust, disaggregated, and real-time data to guide policy, monitor outcomes, and improve accountability”.
“The disparities we see are not just statistics. They are barriers to life and opportunity. We urge stakeholders to move beyond dialogue to concrete action that ensures no child is left behind. Also expected outcomes included amongst others are: equity-driven interventions, stronger multisectoral collaboration, and actionable policy recommendations for national HIV responses”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a Nigerian global health and development expert, health economist, and civil society leader. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Programmes Director of the Afrihealth Optonet Association, a global civil society network and think-tank with over 3,000 member organisations in more than 120 countries. AHOA works at the intersection of health, climate action, and sustainable development”.
“Dr. Adirieje has extensive experience in policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable development practice. He has provided technical leadership for key national and international initiatives, including Nigeria’s National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and independent evaluations of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. His work covers health systems strengthening, climate justice advocacy, civil society mobilisation, and evidence-based policy engagement”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a respected voice in global development discourse, he convenes the Life and Health Dialogue Series, a platform for advancing policy dialogue on health, climate, and sustainable development across Africa and the Global South. He is a Certified Management Consultant and an advocate for equity-driven development. Dr. Adirieje promotes integrated approaches that link health, environment, and governance to achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes”.