The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the fight against HIV/AIDS despite the steady decline in global funding.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, gave the assurance at the commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day (2025 WAD), organised by the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA).
Ajetunmobi explained “the impact of dwindling global funding on HIV/AIDS efforts across the nation due to the US Policy shift, warning that the state’s hard-won progress, with an HIV prevalence of 0.9%, risks reversal without urgent action.”
She emphasised that this year’s World AIDS Day theme, “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” calls for a three-pillar approach involving the government, healthcare workers, and the community.
Ajetunmobi highlighted that Governor Seyi Makinde has prioritised health as a key pillar of his administration by allocating funds in the 2025–2026 Budget for integrated AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) cares, ensuring affordable, accessible testing, counseling, and treatment at revitalised primary healthcare centers.
She stated: “Our efforts are on the ground to ensure that healthcare in the State goes beyond what is immediately visible. We address both communicable and non-communicable diseases while also providing counseling and psychological support to every resident of the state.
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“We have recruited more health workers in the past year to strengthen our workforce, and despite the japa syndrome, we continue to train those available so they are equipped and compassionate in delivering quality care,” Ajetunmobi said
At the community level, the Commissioner called for stronger collaboration with traditional and religious leaders to reduce stigma, improve access to care, and encourage community ownership of health programmes.
“We are working closely with community, traditional, and religious leaders, as they can communicate directly with the people in ways they understand and guide them to access care at nearby Primary healthcare centers.
“Everyone needs to take ownership of their health. The government is doing its part, the community is doing theirs, but individuals must also take responsibility for their own well-being,” Ajetunmobi added.
Similarly, the Chairman, Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), Dr Gbola Adetunji, disclosed that the Agency has strengthened its prevention programmes, focusing on education, counseling, condom distribution, and mother to child transmission prevention.
Adetunji highlighted the need for a transformative approach to end AIDS by 2030, in line with the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
He said, “There is a need to chart new trends in combatting HIV with the hope of ending it by 2030 as specified by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).”
Highlights of the event include: rally/roadshow, counseling, and free malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV testing.
The World AIDS Day is globally celebrated on December 1st to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from the disease.