From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) has allayed fears and concerns of people living with HIV in Nigeria over 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, said the decision of the Trump administration raised significant concerns among stakeholders with regards to HIV/AIDS and TB technical support and funding.
The DG boss encouraged the patient community to continue accessing HIV treatment services in all delivery points across the country.
She said Nigeria has the highest number of people living with HIV in the 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 the US 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 the treatment programme in the country as their contributions cover approximately 90 per cent of the treatment burden,” she said.
The NACA boss reaffirmed that the 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 the country’s strategic