International funding for reduction of HIV decreasing ― FG

The Federal Government (FG) on Wednesday, disclosed that international funding for the reduction of HIV is decreasing.

This is even as it noted that Nigeria’s domestic funding for HIV is estimated to be below 30%.

The Director General, National Agency for the Control of Aids, Dr Gambo Aliyu made the disclosure in Abuja at a press conference to mark the 2019 World AIDS day.

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He said the realities made it imperative to engage communities so as to ensure that HIV remains on the political agenda and galvanise International and National funding for HIV.

“We still have work to do. As Nigeria strives to achieve epidemic control in an environment where international funding for HIV is reducing and Nigeria’s domestic funding for HIV is estimated to be below 30%, the efforts of communities are urgently needed,” he said.

While stressing the importance of communities, he explained that these Communities include networks of people living with or affected by HIV, women and young people, peer educators, counsellors, community health workers, door-to-door service providers, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, policymakers and activists.

He noted that the communities are vital to facilitating an enabling environment that promotes equal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services for Nigerians.

Also, he stated that the communities are vital to safeguarding the rights of Nigerians living with HIV.

“Communities are crucial to holding decision-makers and implementers accountable,” he added.