The National Agency for the Control of AIDS(NACA), has partnered with the USAIDS, UNAIDS and Jhpiego for a 2-day retreat alongside the House of Representatives’ Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM).
The partnership is under the theme “Leadership for sustainability of the HIV response: The role of the Legislative”.
In her opening speech, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori assured of the agency’s determination in providing leadership to driving an accelerated decline in new HIV infections in the country.
She advocated for an integrated approach at tackling these diseases, one that will foster synergy and yield maximum health benefit.
“We are here today to continue in our efforts at targeting the eradication of HIV/AIDS by year 2030. We are re-energised at fostering a commitment to the issues of HIV/AIDS with the legislators here present and help facilitate an efficient and sustainable response in Nigeria”, she stated.
The Country Director of UNAIDS, Dr Leopoid Zeken urged the leadership of the house to scale up efforts and help in terms of legislation for resource allocation. He called for an increased awareness and improved accountability of resources in better management of the resources available to solving the major issues plaguing us.
He believes that the success achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria will have an overbearing effect on the African continents’ success.
While also addressing the participants at the retreat, a seasoned Public Health Specialist and Country Director, Jhpiego, Oniyire Adetiloye spoke on the critical nature of the committee and believes if these three diseases are tackled heads on, it will portend a great success for the country.
He called for an integrated approach that will ensure the patients receive the best solutions to these health issues.
According to him, Jhpiego has been in the forefront of tackling HIV/AIDS and have reached millions of Nigerian women, men and children since 1978. He noted that HIV testing services have been provided to more than 2.6 million people while more than 74,000 have been newly identified as HIV-positive and over 72,000, linked to care and treatment.
In his submission, Chairman House Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM), Honourable Godwin Ameobi insisted that Nigeria must address gender and human rights barriers as well as domestic financing to make progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He stated that there is still much work to be done but believes that the summit is a right step in the right direction.
He encouraged the engagement between NACA and the legislature as a progress in knowing the right responses in eliminating HIV/AIDS. He suggested that 1% of the consolidated National funds be dedicated to manage HIV/AIDS.
“Government must take the lead by providing the needed funds. NACA must also be improved upon to become a multi-sectoral agency to fight HIV/AIDS better”, he stated.
He stated that the committee will insist that all funds must be accounted for, to ensure transparency and accountability in attaining the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.
Ameobi called for more retreats on capacity building to help the legislators attend more events so as to keep them abreast of best global practices while urging strict efforts against stigma and discrimination, especially in workplaces.
Participants at the retreat attended various sessions where speakers discussed National HIV response, statistics and the goals of the sustainability agenda.
Globally, about 39 million people are presently living with HIV while about 3 million are living with HIV in Nigeria , according to 2023 estimates. 4.9% of PLHIV globally and 41.6% of PLHIV in West and Central Africa are in Nigeria. 16 states in Nigeria have HIV prevalence above the national prevalence of 1.3%.