From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and various partners, led by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), have renewed their commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and beyond. This commitment was reaffirmed at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Nigeria HIV Prevention Conference in Abuja, which saw the participation of local and international stakeholders.
The participants expressed optimism that with renewed commitment and collaborative support, Nigeria and other countries would achieve the 2030 global HIV target, leading to an HIV-free world.
NACA Director General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, commended the participants for their contributions, particularly the women and youth groups living with HIV/AIDS. She appealed to them to sustain the momentum and engage in more enlightenment and advocacy programs on HIV/AIDS prevention and safe practices.
Elizabeth Talatu, representing the youth groups, expressed appreciation for the support received from NACA and partners, which has aided the youths and other key populations in advocacy and management. She highlighted the need for a multi-sectoral response for HIV prevention, integrating sustainable HIV prevention strategies into existing health and development programs. This includes targeting adolescents and young people with specific programs focused on sexual reproductive health and rights, economic empowerment, mental health, sexual and gender-based violence, and education.
Talatu emphasized the importance of promoting mental wellness and combating stigma and discrimination, utilizing technology and innovative tools for HIV prevention, ensuring the health and rights of key populations living with HIV, and scaling up harm reduction for young people.
“In addition to that, there’s a need to develop a legal/policy framework in support of harm reduction, decriminalize drug use, and address all forms of stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs,” she stated.
Talatu concluded by calling for united efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 95%-95%-95% targets by 2030.
Speaking at the conference’s opening ceremony, UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Leo Zekeng acknowledged the progress made in the fight against HIV but emphasized that complacency is not an option. He championed the need for top-level political will and commitment, suggesting a new approach to condom programming and additional local funding to accelerate progress towards the 2030 global HIV target.
PEPFAR Coordinator Dr Funmi Adesanya, in her keynote address, challenged young people to utilize their potential and opportunities to make a positive impact on society.
The conference served as a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies and interventions to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria and beyond. The renewed commitment and collaborative efforts showcased at the conference offer hope for a future free from HIV/AIDS.