The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has hosted the first ever Nigeria HIV Prevention Conference in the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, emphasized the critical importance of prevention and combating the disease, echoing the sentiment, “Prevention is better than cure.”
The conference with the theme: “Accelerating HIV Prevention to End AIDS through Innovations and Community Engagement” is a high-level event held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city from 7th May to 9th May, 2024.
The conference will showcase diverse sessions, including dedicated tracks on youth empowerment under the theme “Adolescents and Young People (AYP) as Change Agents,” community engagement sessions, leadership discussions, plenary sessions, sponsored sessions, and special sessions.
The conference’s objectives include optimizing innovative HIV prevention approaches towards achieving epidemic control, promoting equitable and inclusive human rights-based approaches to HIV Prevention, and strategizing for increased domestic funding towards community ownership and sustainability of HIV prevention programmes.
He highlighted the urgent need to curb new infections, especially among vulnerable populations.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa represented by the Director and Senior Technical Assistant to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. David Atuwo said President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access for all Nigerians sets a powerful tone for the conference.
“His vision, articulated through the Health Sector Evolution Project, aims to ensure equitable, efficient, and quality healthcare services for every citizen, regardless of HIV status. The focus on prevention aligns with global efforts to achieve the 95-95-95 targets by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he said.
The conference serves as a platform for discussing and evaluating prevention strategies tailored to Nigeria’s socio-cultural landscape.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the need to leverage effective interventions and best practices while fostering ownership and sustainability in the national HIV response.
“With a call for collective action, including support from healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, and those affected by HIV, the goal of an AIDS-free Nigeria becomes attainable.
“As the conference progresses, all eyes are on the outputs and implementation of selected strategies. President Bola Tinubu’s anticipation of a future where no child is born HIV-positive in Nigeria underscores the stakes, with concerted efforts and collaboration, the nation stands poised to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS, setting the stage for a healthier and more prosperous future,” he said.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM), Amobi Ogah, emphasized that Nigeria must reduce reliance on foreign donors to combat the HIV epidemic.
Hon. Ogah said this can only be achieved if the federal and state governments increased budgetary allocations to the health sector.
“NACA must aim to expand treatment centres in the country to 300 by the end of 2024, it is important to involve the National Assembly in programmes to ensure ownership and awareness,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Director-General of (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori said the gathering marks a significant milestone in the country’s collective efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.
She said notable progress has been made, “Shaping our response and strategies to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our country.
“I extend heartfelt appreciation to all our partners whose support has made this conference possible. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared commitment towards a common goal,” she said.
She acknowledges the PEPFAR team for their support in providing the venue and facilitating the youth conference and to UNAIDS for their generous seed grant.
The Director-General also acknowledges the unwavering support and visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu in creating an enabling environment and allocating resources for this conference.
Dr Ilori said the theme for the conference underscores the importance of community involvement in shaping effective prevention strategies while ensuring access to treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS.
She noted that from 2016 to the present, NACA has adopted diverse strategies including combination prevention therapy, HIV self-testing, harm reduction initiatives, treatment as prevention, and the reassessment of Nigeria’s HIV epidemic through the NAIIS in 2018, among other measures.
“However, despite our achievements, our work is far from over. We must redouble our efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission and strive for an AIDS-free generation by 2030, leveraging the advancements in health technology at our disposal,” she said.
She added that stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to achieving the set goals by 2030.
“We must educate and sensitize people about the harmful effects of stigma and discrimination against individuals living with HIV/AIDS, our strategies must be inclusive, person-centred, and sensitive to the needs of adolescents, young people, key populations, and people living with HIV/AIDS,” she added.
In his goodwill message, the UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Leo Zekeng highlighted the commitment made in 2021 to reduce new HIV infections by 83 per cent in 2025.
Dr Zekeng expressed optimism about Nigeria’s capability to address this challenge but identified several obstacles, including the lack of political leadership commitment to prevention, inadequate state government investment, and funding limitations.
Zekeng emphasized the need to scale up investment in prevention kits and address challenges such as data collection, legal and political environments, and community engagement.
He urged participants to explore innovative strategies during the conference to curb new infections and assured UN support in these efforts.
In his goodwill message, the National Coordinator, National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP), Bashorun Adebobola, said it is important to recognize the imperative of decentralization in the country’s efforts.
Dr Adebobola said it’s essential to intensify leadership at the sub-regional level to ensure effective implementation of prevention strategies.
He said NASCP is fully committed, alongside SACA, to ensuring that the conference culminates into tangible outcomes and actionable points that will drive meaningful progress in our fight against HIV.
The National Coordinator of the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), Esther Hindi, emphasized the critical importance of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme as a pivotal step toward ending transmission.
Hindi highlighted the need for inclusivity in the current era, particularly in empowering women to understand and address their challenges.
She also advocated for the empowerment of women, highlighting the transformative impact it has on both individuals and nations.
The representative of the National Coordinator of the Association of Positive Youths in Nigeria (APYIN) Aaron Sunday passionately called on stakeholders to join hands in collaboration with young people living with HIV.
Sunday emphasized the vital role of continuous support, highlighting the positive outcomes yielded by NACA’s Technical Working Groups in identifying numerous young individuals.
Additionally, He appealed for sustained backing to empower youth and enhance their education, enabling them to navigate life-changing decisions more effectively.
In his heartfelt goodwill message, the National Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Abdulkadir Ibrahim affirmed the network’s unwavering support for NACA’s pursuit of its objectives.
Ibrahim emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, highlighting challenges in Nigeria’s data management system.
He stressed the critical need for unity among stakeholders to advocate for government and partner support.
