The Nigerian government has authorized an allocation of N4.8 billion for the acquisition of 150,000 HIV treatment packs intended for four months.
The Minister of Health, Ali Pate made this known on Monday in Abuja while briefing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council Meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister highlighted the federal government’s support saying the resources are basically to contribute to donor agencies’ offers and to indicate major support from the Nigerian government towards vulnerable citizens thereby reducing the cost of treatment and ensuring that life-saving treatment is available.
Dr Pate further disclosed that the Council also discussed the US government’s policy pronouncements on development assistance and implications on the health of Nigerians living with HIV, TB and Malaria.
” The second major approval is approved for The Presidential treatment program for HIV patients, 150,000 treatment packs, a total of 4.8 billion naira four months.
“That is an important statement that the federal government is making to ensure that those who are already HIV infected, even though we have partners that are supporting the treatment, the federal government is already putting its resources to contribute, and we see that that is a signal that the support that the government is providing to those who are vulnerable to reduce the cost and to ensure that life-saving treatment is available.”
He said while Nigeria significantly appreciates the contributions of the US government over the last 20 years, the Nigerian government looks forward to continuing to look forward to a constructive relationship and partnership with the US government in the period ahead.
The Minister added that the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is looking towards transforming the Nigerian sector nationally using national systems and domestic financing, as well as other sources of financing.
“The third element is a discussion that the council had regarding the US government’s policy pronouncements on development assistance and the implications on the health of Nigerians, HIV, TB and Malaria, and while we significantly appreciate all the contribution of the US government over the last 20 years, and We continue to look forward to a constructive relationship, partnership with the US government in the period ahead.
“Nigerian government under the president, is looking towards transforming the sector that is nationally on using national systems and using domestic financing, as well as other sources of financing, to ensure that those who are in treatment do not lose the treatment that they are already on.”
Dr Pate added that this is to ensure that those currently under treatment do not lose the treatment.
He further hinted that the Council agreed that the committee comprising the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment as well as the governor’s forum deliberate on transition and sustainability plan following the US government’s 90-day review period.
“And accordingly, the council agreed that a committee comprising the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Project, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment as well as the governor’s forum to start looking at the transition and sustainability plan, because the US government is going through its 90-day reviews.”
“So that is hope on the way, in a way that will allow us to seamlessly adjust the policy breaking of the US government, while Nigeria appreciates and looks forward to a constructive relationship with the direction that the US government is taking, those are the three main things that I would like to report,” the Minister added.
It would be recalled that the U.S. President, Donald Trump announced an end to the supply of lifesaving drugs for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as medical supplies for newborn babies, in countries supported by USAID around the globe.
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