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Stakeholders on Wednesday called for an integrated and unified HIV response in the country.
They also urged the government at all levels to harness the power of data and innovation to bridge equity gaps in HIV management.
Speaking at the CDC Nigeria’s fifth biannual stakeholders engagement meeting, themed, “Strategic pivoting towards programme simplification and sustainable public health intervention,” in Abuja, the Acting Country Director of the CDC Nigeria, Suzanne Theroux said there is a need for a coordinated integrated HIV response in the country.
“We will be here to continue our support through the United States President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief programme every step of the way. It is really inspiring to see all of you here today. Our national and state government representatives, our implementing partners that we depend on so much, our multilateral partners, academia, civil society, the media, and all other important stakeholders that have joined us today.
“We really do value your partnerships and we look forward to working with all of you to continue this march of ending HIV as a public health threat in improving the overall health outcomes for all Nigerians. I’ve had the pleasure of working with all of you for over three years and I look forward to a very productive meeting in the encycled discussions and resolutions, and solutions that we can all identify over the next two days,” Theroux noted.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr stated that there is a need for stakeholders to discuss strategies towards simplifying the health programmes to help aid state ownership, and sustainability of the programmes.
Theroux said, “The progress that people in this room have made is quite impressive. We have successfully recalibrated our programme data, which has given us a clearer picture of where we stand in achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals and helping us with more accurate data that was needed to achieve precision, and programme planning and programme implementation. I’m in awe of the hard work and dedication of the individuals who are working to help end HIV as a health threat in Nigeria. And as we gather today, I know that no one’s efforts in this room have waned. In fact, they have likely grown stronger as we draw closer to what I believe is reaching our goal.
“I thank each of you for putting in the hard work that is required to provide relief to Nigerians living with HIV. The intensified efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission are very commendable, as are the activities implemented to promote access and equity across Nigeria and prevent gender-based violence. I’m especially pleased to know that the one-stop shops that are led by key populations are providing a safe space for comprehensive care, while they empower communities and save lives.
“The youth-focused community and STEM incubation hubs that equip young women and young men with skills and knowledge to succeed are really truly remarkable and I think making a big difference. Through your work, Nigeria remains a model to the world on how not only to reach HIV epidemic control, but also how to in people and communities so that they have the tools and the skills to change their lives. Health equity is important and I’m happy that our underserved populations in Nigeria are being prioritised to close the treatment coverage gaps.”
Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori said the government is working towards sustaining the HIV national response beyond 2030.
Ilori emphasised that it is important for the government to integrate HIV response into the national government structures and take full ownership.
“This process can be done in phases, we have the problematic phase, we have the financial phase, where we are going to put structures down to actually ensure that HIV response is no longer medicalised but rather integrated into the national mandated government structures,” she said.
Expressing optimism about Nigeria’s progress in combating HIV/AIDS, she noted, “I am optimistic that Nigeria will get there. We are on the right path because we are not doing this alone.
“NACA’s efforts have been bolstered by support from the US government and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), including an ongoing grant to ensure sustainability at federal and sub-national levels.”
Similarly, the Deputy Director for Programmes at the Division of Global HIV&TB, CDC, Dr Jerry Gwamna highlighted the need to leverage on data-driven solutions to strengthen HIV management, particularly for the vulnerable populations.
“We want to improve health outcomes among People Living With HIV/AIDS, and also increase coverage among children less than 10 years.
“By embracing innovation and data analytics, we will improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV’, Gwamna said.
He also highlighted that HIV should be integrated into other health systems for effective coordination.
“Stakeholders should ensure that services are made available in informal sector and we need to streamline treatment protocols, and ensure effective tasks sharing procedure,” he added.
