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Health professionals have expressed concern over the large number of Nigerian children who may be living with HIV without being diagnosed, warning that gaps in testing and awareness are worsening the situation.
Experts say that many children living with the virus are not identified early enough, which delays access to life-saving treatment and increases the risk of complications later in life. The problem is particularly severe in communities where healthcare access is limited and awareness about HIV testing is low.
According to health data and studies in Nigeria, a significant number of children with HIV are still unaware of their status. Research indicates that a large proportion of paediatric HIV cases remain undetected, especially in rural and underserved areas where routine screening is not consistently carried out.
Specialists attribute the situation to several factors, including stigma associated with HIV, lack of routine testing in some healthcare facilities, and insufficient awareness among caregivers about the importance of early diagnosis. In many cases, children are only tested when they become seriously ill, by which time the disease may have progressed significantly.
Nigeria continues to carry one of the highest burdens of HIV among children globally, with hundreds of thousands estimated to be affected.
However, experts believe that a substantial number of cases remain undiagnosed due to weak case-finding systems and limited access to early infant diagnostic services.
Health workers are calling for stronger community testing programmes, improved maternal and child health services, and increased education campaigns to encourage early HIV screening. They also stress the need for caregivers to ensure children are tested early, especially in high-risk households.
Public health advocates warn that without urgent action, undiagnosed cases will continue to fuel preventable illness and deaths among children. They emphasize that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve survival rates and quality of life for children living with HIV.
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Flourish Egunjobi
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