The National AIDS Control Agency (NACA) reassures Nigerians, especially those with HIV, despite concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO) about the impact of stopping foreign aid in the United States.
It was Monday, March 17, a statement issued by its Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, warned that the U.S. government’s decision to suspend foreign aid could put millions of lives at risk and reversed the two decades of progress in HIV treatment programs in Nigeria, Kenya, Kenya, Kenya, South Sudan, Burkina, Faso, Mali, Mali and Ukrain and Ukrain and Ukrain and Ukrain and Ukrain and Ukrain and two decades of progress.
“The U.S. government’s suspension of foreign aid could result in more than 10 million new HIV-related deaths,” Ghebreyesus said. He added that the suspension, implemented shortly after President Donald Trump’s tenure in January, also affected global efforts to combat polio, malaria and tuberculosis.
In response, NACA Director-General Dr Temitope Ilori assured Nigerians that the federal government has taken positive steps to prevent the lack of HIV drugs.
“The Federal Executive Committee approved $1.07 billion in health care sector reforms under the Human Capital Boom and Equity Plan, and also approved 4.8 billion guilds of HIV treatment, while the Nigerian Senate recently allocated an additional guild of 300 billion to the health sector in its 2025 budget,” Ilori said. ”
She further explained that these allocations are part of the government’s strategy to mitigate the impact of U.S. aid moratoriums and close the immediate funding gap.
“While recognizing the support and partnerships of the U.S. government over the past two decades, the Nigerian government sees this pause as an opportunity to mobilize resources, possess ownership and ensure the sustainability of HIV in the country,” she said.
“We want to make sure that Nigerians, especially those with HIV, do not lack medications and consumables, nor will they immediately stop HIV treatment, testing and prevention services in Nigeria. Our treatment centers and pharmacies will continue to have enough antiretroviral drugs to ensure unparalleled medical services.”
On Tuesday, March 18, Dr. Amobi Ogah, Chairman of the House HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Committee, also confirmed that the federal government has allocated 700 billion guilds to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, malaria, malaria and immunity, and stressed that this funding is designed to boycott our withdrawal of funds withdrawn by the Ministry of Finance.
NACA reiterates its commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensures access to quality prevention, treatment and care services for all Nigerians.
