WorldStage Newsonline– The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the National Strategic Framework 2023 to 2027 to end Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrom (AIDS) by 2030, while urging state government to key into agenda for ownership for sustainable HIV response in the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who stated this on Friday in Abuja, during the commemoration of the World Aids Day, said the strategic framework is the symbol of new business model for sustainable HIV response in Nigeria.
He said the government of “Renewed Hope” of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to sustaining the President’s initiative to treat more HIV patients annually using resources mobilized locally.
“NACA in collaboration with the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) recently launched a sixty-two billion Naira private sector-driven HIV/AIDS Trust Fund of Nigeria. This is yet another unique achievement in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
“We call on the organized private sector to ensure private business community delivers on its pledge to support Government effort to achieve an HIV free generation where no baby is born with HIV in Nigeria.
He however, commended the invaluable contributions of communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS, “It is within these communities that we have found resilience, determination, and the will to make a difference. The strength of these communities has propelled us towards achieving the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
“Nigeria aligns fully with global solidarity and shared responsibilities which requires us to view global health responses in a new way, The government of “Renewed Hope” of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to sustaining the President’s initiative to treat more HIV patients annually using resources mobilized locally.
He said, “I am happy to note that the key strategy for sustainability and country ownership of HIV to be launched today indicates a pivotal commitment towards ending AIDS by 2030 and beyond, with states providing leadership. I therefore encourage States government to key into this agenda for ownership for sustainable HIV response in Nigeria.
“I equally acknowledge and appreciate the outstanding support and commitment of the United Nations, Government and people of United States of America, and the Global Funds for their unflinching support over the years to keep people living with HIV alive in Nigeria.
Director General, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) Dr. Gambo Aliyus, said the leadership of communities of persons living with HIV, must play a critical role to ending social, cultural, legal and economic inequalities holding back progress to ending AIDS and elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
He lamented that despite the commendable progress toward achieving epidemic control necessary to end AIDS by 2030, that ending AIDS comes with huge challenge of sustainability of the control.
He said, “To overcome this challenge, Government of Nigeria, United States Government, UNAIDS and the Global Fund initiated alignment programme aimed at ensuring country ownership and sustainability of national response beyond 2030.
“As we remember those who died from AIDS, celebrate our surviving heroes and soldiers fighting the battle against the disease on a daily basis, it is important to note that achieving an AIDS free society is possible if we join hands to demand for HIV services, support persons infected to access services and end all forms of stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his incredible political leadership of the renewed hope agenda which plans to end inequality where no one is left behind.”
