$19m earmarked for vulnerable children orphaned by HIV in Nigeria

Nineteen million dollars has been earmarked for 76,000 vulnerable children orphaned by HIV /AIDS in six Nigerian States.

Manager Pro-Health International, Akinwale Ogundipe, who revealed this during a teleconference in Yola, emphasised the need to protect young people from the stigma of HIV as well as change the perception of the public towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

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The benefiting states according to Ogundipe include, Adamawa, Bauchi, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Cross River.

He explained that the $19m has been awarded to Pro-Health in order to help implement the Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award Region 4 (ICHSSA 4) activity intended to reach out to more than 450,000 people in the six states.

“This USAID assistance will help Nigeria achieve a healthier, more resilient and educated population through support to children and their families made vulnerable by HIV,” he said

Adamawa state Coordinator of People Living With HIV, Farah James reiterated that over 36,000 people are living with HIV in the state.

James said the state records fifty new cases everyday, stressing that the grant will go a long way in supporting children living with HIV/AIDS.

The wife of the Adamawa state governor, Hajiya Lami Ahmad Fintiri, observed that the objectives of ICHSSA 4 project align with the vision of the present administration, which is anchored on food security, free and functional education and security of lives and property.

She gave an assurance of Adamawa state government’s support, noting that “all the relevant MDAs including the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Health, Adamawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS among others will work closely with ICHSSA 4 project team to achieve its set objectives”.