₦airaland Forum

Nigeria's fight against HIV/AIDS has been significantly aided by international donors, particularly PEPFAR

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a N4.8 billion fund for the procurement of 150,000 HIV treatment packs, ensuring continuous care for those living with the virus.

This decision, announced after the FEC meeting on Monday, is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic funding for HIV treatment.

It comes amid concerns over the potential impact of recent US policy shifts on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has been a major source of HIV funding in Nigeria.

Speaking on the approval, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, emphasised the importance of sustaining HIV treatment efforts, particularly as international aid dynamics shift.


Mr Pate noted that while global partners have played a crucial role in providing treatment support, the federal government is now taking deliberate steps to invest in life-saving interventions for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria.

“This is an important signal that the federal government is committed to ensuring that life-saving treatments remain accessible, despite the changing dynamics in external support,” Mr Pate said.

Funding concerns
Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS has been significantly aided by international donors, particularly PEPFAR, which has provided billions of dollars in funding over the past two decades.

PEPFAR, which provides HIV treatment to over 20.6 million people worldwide, faced a temporary funding suspension due to President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign aid.

The order halted many overseas assistance programmes, putting millions at risk.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently granted an “emergency humanitarian waiver,” allowing PEPFAR to resume operations in 55 countries, including Nigeria.

In response to these uncertainties, Mr Pate reassured stakeholders that the Nigerian government is proactively developing a transition and sustainability plan to address potential funding shortfalls.

Reliance on foreign aid
Mr Pate disclosed that the FEC discussed the implications of US policy changes on health programmes, particularly those addressing HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

“In light of the US government’s ongoing 90-day review of its development assistance policies, we have set up a committee comprising the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Environment, and the Governors’ Forum to develop a transition and sustainability plan,” he said.

“This is to ensure that Nigerians receiving treatment do not face disruptions.”

The committee’s mandate is to assess the implications of the US policy shift and devise strategies to ensure the continuity of critical health programmes.

Mr Pate further acknowledged the significant contributions made by the US over the past two decades but stressed that Nigeria is preparing to reduce its reliance on foreign aid.

“While we greatly appreciate the contributions of the US government over the last 20 years and look forward to continued collaboration, Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu is focused on transforming the health sector through national systems and domestic financing,” he said.

He said the goal is to ensure that no patient currently receiving treatment is left without care.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/771590-fec-approves-n4-8bn-for-hiv-treatment-amid-us-policy-shift.html

Money don enter bush. Whenever I hear the government approve money for anything, we already know it's a settlement for one politician who will use it to win his part of the polling booths.

In the end, one single HIV positive person may not benefit from this money they are going to share.

Good.

Very soon they will start looking for loan to cover the cost.

PresidObi:
Money don enter bush. Whenever I hear the government approve money for anything, we already know it's a settlement for one politician who will use it to win his part of the polling booths.

In the end, one single HIV positive person may not benefit from this money they are going to share.

Have you ever visited HIV patients before saying this?

MMM MONEY must be made

lol David is onto something, there’s fire on the mountain and this one’s want to hide their yansh.

Another wasted Nigeria fund. Because the money will be given to one top politician.

america should cancel all those aid to the shithole countries. they have been funding hiv for years and people still don't learn.

hiv money na private pockets e dey go.

Trump don open super highway for looting in Nigeria

Mynd44:
Nigeria's fight against HIV/AIDS has been significantly aided by international donors, particularly PEPFAR

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/771590-fec-approves-n4-8bn-for-hiv-treatment-amid-us-policy-shift.html

Trump never wake today

Good for U. S. A. Bad for d world. Going for international trips begging for aids for us d giant of Africa is demeaning. Its a type of slavery but our leaders don't care as long as they live in stupendous wealth.
Only poor countries with no mineral resources shud be given foreign aid. Nigeria is rich in mineral resources but poor in sense

awesome

Good

Good move
But criminals in government can never allow this fund get to the root or used for the good of the people.

My guy working with one of this NGOs just lost his job few days ago

Good

Okay

how? dem dey loot america money. na idiots dey get hiv. people that go meet prostitutes. you wan waste money on them

NastiLord:
Trump don open super highway for looting in Nigeria

Let there be massive awareness about how to avoid contracting HIV

Hiv is preventable

Good for the country ,glad Shettima shares the same sentiment that he doesn't believe in AID . AID is like Trojan horse.

Dariye:
I am tempted to say "What an amazing speedy reaction to the development" but we all know that is not the case. Infact Trump already reversed the decision to halt the funding but trust these people, the money allocated will still be released for a use already being catered for.
My kontri!

Even if Trump reverse his decision,the best thing is for Nigeria to reject it ,that's the best way to remove western fangs from the system.

Very soon now you will be seeing ARV drugs in the black market and pharmacies all over Nigeria

I am tempted to say "What an amazing speedy reaction to the development" but we all know that is not the case. Infact Trump already reversed the decision to halt the funding but trust these people, the money allocated will still be released for a use already being catered for.
My kontri!

if they like let them not approve it and see the repercussions.

Nigeria was join the trade war with US?

Mynd44:
Nigeria's fight against HIV/AIDS has been significantly aided by international donors, particularly PEPFAR

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/771590-fec-approves-n4-8bn-for-hiv-treatment-amid-us-policy-shift.html

Looks like reality just hit—no more free money from Trump's U.S.! Nigeria is finally stepping up with ₦4.8 billion for HIV treatment, knowing that foreign aid isn’t guaranteed forever. After years of relying on PEPFAR funding, the government is now scrambling to keep treatments going. About time they started taking responsibility!

So people still have hiv in dis country and I just finished nakin raw oo

Mynd44:
Nigeria's fight against HIV/AIDS has been significantly aided by international donors, particularly PEPFAR

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/health/771590-fec-approves-n4-8bn-for-hiv-treatment-amid-us-policy-shift.html

This is proactive of this government. Kudos!

David HindeyMumu and his dumb followers will not like this at all

Good! Time to pay our own bills.

Make una no loot am o, if una loot am everybody go collect, even u were be politician.

PresidObi:
Money don enter bush. Whenever I hear the government approve money for anything, we already know it's a settlement for one politician who will use it to win his part of the polling booths.

In the end, one single HIV positive person may not benefit from this money they are going to share.

ILLITERATE!!!!!!!