The Nationwide Company for the Management of AIDS (NACA) has reassured Nigerians, significantly Individuals Residing With HIV (PLWHIV), that the nation has a gentle provide of antiretroviral medicine and that HIV therapy providers stay uninterrupted.
That is in response to issues raised by the World Well being Organisation (WHO) that Nigeria and 7 different international locations may face shortages of life-saving HIV treatment as a result of United States’ pause on overseas support.
The Director-Normal of NACA, Temitope Ilori, in an announcement issued on Wednesday, famous that the federal authorities has taken proactive measures to forestall any disruption in HIV therapy providers.
Ms Ilori emphasised that the federal government has lately made some key monetary commitments to cushion the affect of the US authorities’s support pause and shut the fast funding hole.
“The Federal Govt Council (FEC) accepted $1.07 Billion to finance the healthcare sector reforms below the Human Capital Alternatives for Prosperity and Fairness (HOPE) programme, and in addition accepted N4.8 billion for HIV therapy, whereas the Nigerian Senate additionally lately allotted an extra N300 billion to the well being sector within the 2025 price range,” she mentioned.
“These allocations are a part of the federal government’s efforts to cushion the affect of the US authorities’s support pause and shut the fast funding hole.”
The federal government has additionally earmarked N700 billion to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria whereas additionally enhancing immunisation efforts nationwide.
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Ms Ilori famous that these monetary commitments are additionally a part of a broader technique to strengthen Nigeria’s well being system, making certain that important providers reminiscent of HIV therapy, testing, and prevention stay uninterrupted.
“We wish to guarantee Nigerians, significantly these dwelling with HIV, that there isn’t a scarcity of medicine and consumables and no fast cease of providers for HIV therapy, testing, and prevention in Nigeria,” she mentioned.
She mentioned all therapy centres and pharmacies will proceed to have enough antiretroviral medicine, making certain uninterrupted entry to care.
WHO’s warning
The WHO had warned that disruptions attributable to the US overseas support suspension may reverse 20 years of progress within the world battle towards HIV, probably resulting in over 10 million new HIV infections and three million associated deaths globally.
The worldwide well being physique additionally warned that international locations reminiscent of Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine may face HIV drug shortages.
PEPFAR, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reduction, which has funded HIV therapy for thousands and thousands worldwide—together with in Nigeria—confronted momentary funding suspension following an govt order issued by President Donald Trump in January.
About two million Nigerians are presently dwelling with HIV, with a lot of them benefitting from PEPFAR.
As one of many international locations with the very best HIV burden globally, Nigeria depends closely on programmes reminiscent of PEPFAR for entry to life-saving medicines and healthcare infrastructure help.
Through the years, PEPFAR has contributed over $6 billion to help Nigeria’s nationwide HIV/AIDS response.
Closing the hole
Whereas acknowledging the US authorities’s and its companions’ vital contributions over the previous 20 years, Ms Ilori mentioned Nigeria views this funding hole as a possibility to take possession of its HIV response and strengthen native options.
She added that it is a essential second for the nation to mobilise assets and make sure the sustainability of its HIV programme.
She reaffirmed NACA’s dedication to reaching HIV epidemic management in Nigeria and inspired the general public to depend on credible sources for updates relating to the nation’s HIV response.
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