FG launches national HIV/AIDS strategic plan
The federal government on Friday unveiled the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2027.
The plan was launched during the commemoration of this year’s World AIDS Day, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Abuja.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the launch of the policy document indicates a pivotal commitment towards ending AIDS by 2030 and beyond, with states providing leadership.
He encouraged state governments to key into the agenda for ownership and for sustainable HIV response in Nigeria.
“I equally acknowledge and appreciate the outstanding support and commitment of the United Nations, Government and people of the United States of America, and the Global Funds for their unflinching support over the years to keep people living with HIV alive in Nigeria.”
The SGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ending AIDS by the year 2030 and will ensure no one is left behind in providing access to HIV services across the country.
While saying that NACA in collaboration with the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) recently launched a N62 billion private sector-driven HIV/AIDS Trust Fund of Nigeria, he called on the organized private sector to ensure that the private business community delivers on its pledge to support government’s effort to achieve an HIV free generation where no baby is born with HIV in Nigeria.
The Director General of NACA, Dr Gambo Aliyu, said leadership communities of persons living with HIV, key affected populations, women, adolescent and young persons; policy makers, organized private sector, and the general public among others have critical roles to play in ending social, cultural, legal and economic inequalities holding back progress to ending AIDS and elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Mission Director USAID, Melissa Jones, said the United States government has through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) invested $7.8 billion to ensure access to HIV prevention and treatment services for Nigerians.