From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) has neutralized the fears and concerns of people living with HIV in Nigeria over the recent decision of the US President, Donald Trump, to halt HIV funding to Nigeria and other developing countries.
NACA, in a statement by its Director General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, on Thursday, said the recent decision of the Trump administration raised significant concerns among stakeholders with regards to HIV/AIDS and TB technical support and funding.
The Agency’s boss further neutralized the fears of the HIV community, and encouraged the patient community to continue accessing HIV treatment services in all delivery points across the country.
She said that Nigeria has the highest number of people living with HIV in West and Central African region, and over the past two decades, partners in the global AIDS response have intensively supported the Nigeria and its institutions to scale-up prevention, treatment, care, and support for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
She said that U.S government through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has immensely supported Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response over the years, particularly in sustaining the treatment of people living with HIV in Nigeria.
“Undoubtedly, PEPFAR Nigeria remains the biggest donor for treatment programme in the country as their contributions cover approximately 90 per cent of the treatment burden,” she said.
The NACA boss reaffirmed that Nigerian government would intensify domestic resource mobilization strategies towards ownership and sustainability of the HIV response in the country, with a view to reducing the risks of donor aid policy shifts to the HIV response, while ensuring that country’s strategic goals and targets in the fight against HIV are achieved.
She was optimistic that through effective stakeholder collaboration, creating favourable policies and enabling environment and advocacy to policy makers, Nigeria can still achieve the target of ending AIDS by 2030.
Dr. Ilori thus appealed to State Governors, private sector partners, members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, Civil Society Organizations, the media and all other relevant stakeholders, to continue in their commitment and support to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
She also appreciated the US Government, and all international partners for their continued contributions and support to the national HIV response.