Nigeria seeks to attain AIDS-free status by 2030

To ensure that Nigeria is free of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by 2030, the Federal Government of Nigeria has pushed for shared accountability from medical professionals and implementing partners.

The government is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Nigeria and Caritas Nigeria in achieving the goal.

At the 4th Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Nigeria’s bi-annual Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, emphasized that the fight to end AIDS as a significant public health issue in Nigeria is ongoing.

Ilori stated that the government relies on stakeholders’ customary commitment in its push towards the last mile, adding that much work needs to be done to achieve national HIV sustainability.

In her words: “The vision for the health sector renewal by the Honourable Ministers of Health and Social Welfare brings into perspective several pieces of effort that are designed to produce health and reduce pain sustainably for all Nigerians.

“This goal is pivoted upon four main pillars, which are: effective governance; efficient, equitable, and quality health system; unlocking value chain and Health Security.

“Specifically for the HIV Response, this translates to collectively achieving a domestic-driven HIV response that is sustainable, effective, and efficient.

“NACA remains the government agency mandated with the responsibility of coordinating the multisectoral response to HIV and related diseases.

“This, we will continue to do under the supervision of the Honourable Minister of Health for State, Dr Tunji Alausa. In the next few weeks, I will be inviting you to share my vision of how together we will achieve this,” he said.

The Minister of state for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, who was also in the meeting, commended the CDC for her sustained support to 22 states in the country.

“Addressing disease outbreak preparedness, immunizations and HIV epidemic is laudable feat. I am glad that the project is making good progress,” Alausa concluded.