A population-based HIV survey in Lagos State has found that 41.7 per cent of people living with the virus do not know their status, while only 48.3 per cent have achieved viral suppression.

The findings emerged from the Nigeria State-Level Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Impact Survey, conducted between November 2025 and February 2026 with funding from the United States Government through the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The survey, covering adults aged 15 to 64, estimated HIV prevalence in Lagos at 1.2 per cent; 1.6 per cent among women and 0.8 per cent among men.

The findings, presented in Ikeja, showed that 58.3 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status, while 93.4 per cent of those diagnosed were receiving antiretroviral treatment. Of those on treatment, 88.9 per cent had achieved viral suppression.

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Lajide, said the findings would help assess progress since the 2018 Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) identified gaps and evaluated interventions.

Lajide also cited the 2025 HIV Health Sector Report, published by the Federal Ministry of Health through the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), which estimated that 192,911 people were living with HIV in Lagos, with 129,977 receiving antiretroviral treatment, representing coverage of 65.7 per cent.

Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori, said conducting the survey was the easier part, while applying its findings to improve services was the harder task.

She urged stakeholders to take ownership of the data, identify underserved populations and direct resources towards closing gaps, adding that the Federal Government was willing to support states in using the findings.

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LASACA), Dr Anima Shaw, said the findings would guide budgeting, resource allocation and planning.

She said the state would target areas with undiagnosed and untreated cases and strengthen treatment adherence, retention in care and differentiated service delivery.

Shaw urged stakeholders to translate the findings into action, saying responsibility to people living with HIV must continue beyond the survey. (Guardian)