US aid freeze threatens 90% HIV treatment coverage in Nigeria – NACA

… applauds Trump’s waiver, says Nigeria to take ownership of HIV response

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has expressed concern over the recent executive order by the United States administration to reevaluate and realign its foreign aid, including a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance. This decision could significantly disrupt Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response, NACA warns, stating that US support currently covers approximately 90% of the country’s treatment burden.

Nigeria has the highest number of people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the West and Central African region. Over the past two decades, partners in the global AIDS response have supported the Nigerian government and institutions in the country, to scale-up prevention, treatment, care, and support for those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The U.S. government through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has supported Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response over the years, particularly in sustaining the treatment of people living with HIV in Nigeria.

In a statement on Thursday reacting to the aid freeze, NACA noted that PEPFAR Nigeria remains the biggest donor for treatment programme in the country emphasising that their contributions covers approximately 90% of the treatment burden.

Read also: How AI and technology can help Nigeria overcome HIV/AIDS

Temitope Ilori, director-general of NACA however commended the waiver issued by the President Donald Trump Administration for lifesaving medicines and medical services, which offers a reprieve for a worldwide HIV treatment programme.

Ilori said the waiver allows for the continuous distribution of HIV medications (ARVs) and medical services supported by PEPFAR in Nigeria, but also acknowledged the US’ move to realign its foreign policy. She said the Nigerian government will develop strategies to take ownership of financing.

“The Nigerian government appreciates the U.S. government waiver and is mindful of the potential change to foreign aid in the near future under the new administration.

“The Nigerian government would intensify domestic resource mobilization strategies towards ownership and sustainability of the HIV response in the country with a view to reducing the risks of donor aid policy shifts to the HIV response while ensuring that the country’s strategic goals and targets in the fight against HIV are achieved” the DG stated.

She enthused that through effective stakeholder collaboration, creating favourable policies and enabling environment and advocacy to policy makers, Nigeria can still achieve the target of ending AIDS by 2030.

“We encourage the patient community to continue accessing HIV treatment services in service delivery points across the country and appeal to all our State Governors, private sector partners, all the honourable members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, civil society organizations, the media and all other relevant stakeholders, to continue in their commitment and support to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

“We appreciate the United States Government and all our international partners for their continued contributions and support to the national HIV response”, she said.