Dr. Sulaimon Akanmu, a Professor of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at the College of Medicine in the University of Lagos, has put forward a recommendation for the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS to incorporate fourth-generation screening kits for the testing of Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibodies in order to effectively manage the epidemic in the country.

During his 14th Inaugural lecture for the academic session of 2023/2024 at the institution, Dr. Akanmu, a distinguished Consultant Haematologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, delved into the multifaceted challenges posed by HIV/AIDS, emphasizing the impact on health and mortality that the disease has had since its early stages.

In his lecture titled ‘The virus and the malnourished red cells: It is only a matter of time; Humanity is set to have the last laugh over the virus’, Dr. Akanmu discussed the critical role of anaemia in the outcomes of HIV infections, shedding light on the correlation between anaemia and mortality rates in individuals with HIV.

He pointed out that, during the initial phases of HIV infection, anaemia served as a significant predictor of mortality among severely immunocompromised patients. Dr. Akanmu attributed the high prevalence of anaemia in HIV-infected individuals to the detrimental effects of the virus on red blood cells.

Elaborating further, he highlighted the need for a tailored approach to defining anaemia in the context of HIV infection, indicating the importance of recognizing its unique characteristics compared to the conventional understanding.

Dr. Akanmu emphasized the pivotal role of scientific advancements in combating the virus, specifically applauding the groundbreaking impact of Antiretroviral Therapy in offering hope for those affected by HIV. He expressed optimism about the prospects of achieving epidemic control through the effective and widespread implementation of ARTs, envisioning a future where new infections are minimized.

With his extensive experience as a former president of the Nigerian Society for Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Dr. Akanmu’s insights encapsulate a forward-looking perspective on the evolving landscape of HIV management and control in Nigeria and beyond.

“What the virus has done to humanity, God almighty has given humanity the knowledge to be able to tackle the virus.

“I spoke about what we call achieving epidemic control by which we mean that with effective use of retroviral therapy, we would be able to get to a point where no new infection will occur.

“Because everybody that is HIV infected and is on effective ARTs will be incapable of infecting another person and when that happens, it will be the beginning of what we refer to as epidemic control.”
He stated.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 targets the elimination of the AIDS epidemic by 2030, requiring a global decrease in the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization defines HIV epidemic control as reducing the occurrence and impact of the disease to a level deemed acceptable in local communities through intentional actions. By emphasizing the efficacy of antiretroviral treatments (ARTs), it is emphasized that successful management of the HIV epidemic is attainable.

Akanmu mentioned, “Effective ART adds at least 33 years to the life span of persons living with HIV on therapy.

“Since viral load becomes undetectable, it is calculated that a person living with HIV on effective treatment will be able to infect less than one person in 33 years.

These metrics and more are now being achieved in many countries and very soon in Nigeria too.

“That is why we say the Incidence Prevalence Ratio of 1/33 must be achieved. The day we achieve that is it is the day we will say indeed, we have arrived at the destination where we would say we have truly achieved epidemic control. But that also implies that we must be able to say that no new infection is occurring.”

He further stated , “Except we can say that, you probably will not be able to say you have achieved epidemic control and before you can say that no new infection is coming, you must be able to say whoever is testing positive is a new infection or is not a new infection.

“And the technology that we can use to determine when somebody is newly infected or is not newly infected is what I suggested as a very strong recommendation to the Federal Ministry of Health and NACA.

“We can only do that if the country adopts what we call fourth-generation screening kits for testing of HIV antibodies moving forward in the country.”

NACA estimates that there are 1.8 million people living with HIV in Nigeria, with approximately 1.63 million of them receiving ARV medication.

Akanmu, whose career in haematology and blood transfusion is fascinating and rewarding, started his journey into HIV medicine in 1987 when there were few treatment options available, such as the AZT drug from the United States, for a select few individuals.

“It dates back to 1987 when the WHO proclaimed that HIV is transmissible by blood and blood products and must be added to the list of transmissible infections. The WHO also prescribed that the method for the screening of blood should be the use of the so-called Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)”, he restated.

Prof Folasade Ogunsola, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, praised Akanmu for his enlightening and impressive lecture, recognizing him as a remarkable scholar who has made significant contributions to his academic field and society overall.