The Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCCA) has been at the fore front in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country, especially from within the work places.
NIBUCAA which currently comprises of 36 leading businesses across the country has committed to fighting the menace at all levels and represents the voice of Nigerian private sector response to HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The organisation has been able to provide succour to Nigerians affected with the virus over the years and has continued to galvanise resources and technical expertise from the private sector in addressing the pressing challenges of HIV/AIDS in the country.
Commenting on why it is important for the private sector to partner with NIBUCAA in its drive to eradicate HIV/AIDS from Nigeria, Gbenga Alabi, executive secretary of NIBUCAA, quoting the International Labour Organization (ILO), said that two out of three people living with HIV or AIDS are employees, making the workplace a vital entry point for tackling the virus.
Alabi stated that approximately 150,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in Nigeria in 2017, adding that since 2005, the reduction in the number of annual AIDS-related deaths has been minimal, indicating that only 33 per cent of those with the virus have access to Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART).
He noted that priorities to funding innovation in global healthcare have hit an all-time low in the annual investment for HIV prevention, research and development as major donors have reduced their support.
He said for years, the treatment for HIV/AIDS has been largely run with funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), adding that total funding from PEPFAR dropped from $409 million in 2016 to $384 million in 2017.
Recently, the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) in Nigeria, expressed worry over the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria as latest statistics rated Nigeria as having second highest Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic profile in the world.
In the data, the country also has the highest number of children contracting HIV in the world and an estimated 1.8 million children became orphans as a result of the scourge in 2017, which experts said could have huge impact on their health, safety and wellbeing.
At a recent dinner party organized by NIBUCAA for its key sponsors which comprised of Access Bank, Shell Petroleum development Company, Total Exploration & Production Nigeria Ltd, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dangote Group and many others in Lagos, Herbert Wigwe, group managing director of Access Bank Plc, who is the co-chair of NIBUCAA said operators in the private sector must as a matter of necessity partners with the organisation in other to tackle the virus.
“We have to realize that HIV/AIDS is not just a health problem, it is a developmental challenge. Therefore, the private sector cannot afford to be complacent with regards to the scourge. It is eminently desirable that private sector supports all efforts geared towards the realization of the goal of the multi-sectoral response to HIV pandemic in particular under the Sustainable Development Goals,” Wigwe said.
“Therefore, we should be able among ourselves raised some funds as the private sector to help agencies like NIBUCAA provide drugs and also help educate and sensitize the public, and in a way it will help curb the spread and end new cases,” he added.
He said Access Bank and other partners have created a $168 million emergency fund to be raised among partners and dedicated for achieving NIBUCAA’s objectives.
For Nicolas Terras, Managing Director of Total E&P and a Co-chair on NIBUCAA board, it is high time Nigerians create their own response to the scourge, and the private sector must take the initiatives.
According to him, the fight against HIV/AIDS is too big for the government to handle alone. “Captains of industries have collective leadership roles to play in the multi- sectoral response to HIV and AIDS”
Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, head of sustainability Access Bank Plc, said since the establishment of NIBUCAA by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, it has been able to get the private sector participation in the country’s battle against the HIV/AIDS scourge.
JOSEPHINE OKOJIE
