The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, on Wednesday affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing the HIV response in Nigeria during a performance review meeting hosted by the U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in Abuja.
The third Biannual Performance Review and Stakeholder Engagement meeting aimed to share experiences, successes, and lessons with funders and CDC/PEPFAR partners in Nigeria.
Represented by Dr. Anyaike Chukwuma, the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Pate emphasized the progress made in combating HIV and acknowledged the crucial support provided by the U.S. CDC and the U.S. Government.
He highlighted achievements, challenges, and plans in the fight against HIV, underscoring the importance of sustainable financing, improved governance, and enhanced healthcare outcomes.
Pate explained that the government’s agenda and collaborative efforts with stakeholders aimed to ensure a resilient and sustainable healthcare system in the country.
Key interventions included the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the National Health Insurance Act. He also mentioned restructuring the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to strengthen the healthcare system.
The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. David Greene, praised Nigeria’s efforts toward achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. He highlighted the operation of key population-led One Stop Shops and innovation hubs for adolescents and youth.
Greene expressed pride in partnering with Nigeria and the potential of an integrated health service delivery platform.
Dr. Gambo Aliyu, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), emphasized the impact of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in combating HIV/AIDS.
He stressed the need for continued progress and sustainability, transitioning from an emergency response to managing HIV as an endemic global situation.
Aliyu underscored the importance of collective responsibility, engagement, and discussions for achieving HIV epidemic control in Nigeria beyond 2030.
