The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has said it would launch the HIV Trust Fund that will provide resources for the private sectors to be able to tackle the challenge of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
Speaking at the annual media interactive dinner organised by the Agency in Abuja yesterday, the Director General, NACA, Dr. Sani Aliyu said this will be the first time they are bringing in the private sectors to be fully engaged in national HIV response.
He said the HIV Trust Fund will be launched on the platform of the Nigerian Business Community Against AIDS and it will provide resources for the private sector to be able to contribute commodities into the national fund.
“It is not only about money that we want on this platform because together with the Federal Ministry of Health, we have launched the Stigma and MCTC programme which we hope will be the first line when it comes to launch-planning of HIV in Nigeria and will provide us with extra strategies for our partners as we start moving away from HIV.
Dr. Aliyu said the agency made tremendous achievement in year 2018 in the area of the National AIDS Action Survey carried out which is the largest in the world.
“I’m sure you are aware of the National AIDS Action Survey which is the largest survey in HIV survey presently in the world. It is not just about the largest but about doing a survey that would provide the best in tackling issues of HIV/AIDS in the world. We hope to release the figure for the survey in March next year.”
He added that part of the achievement for the year was they were able to restore their relationship with their biggest partner, the Global Fund.
“Sometimes in the year we had the Global Fund’s Executive Director with us and while he was here, he announced a new plan of $660 million plan for Nigerians for the treatment of TB, malaria and HIV. That would never have happened in Nigeria two years ago. There is no way Global Fund would have committed more resources if they are not sure where the resources are going to.
“We are also doing a lot of work when it comes to HIV response, for those that were around for the World AIDS Day, I’m sure you have heard of the commitment of the FG to move forward and make sure all the patients in Taraba and Abia are taking care of.
“In addition to that, the President has graciously directed the Finance minister to make sure that the fund is included in the budget for 2019 as far as Taraba and Abia are concerned.
“We have done a lot of projects with the states government in the last one year from 2017 to 2018, budget for states have doubled from about N700,000 commitment to N1.4 billion commitment.
“The resources released have also increased substantially. We have states such as Lagos, Kaduna and Katsina that have continued to be consistent with their releases,” he added.
The United Nations’ country representative to Nigeria, Samuel Bwalya, who was represented by Mrs Modupe Oduwole at the event said, Nigeria like other countries in the world has made commitment to the 90-90-90.
She explained that the first 90 is to identify 90 percent of the people living with HIV by putting in place strategies to get those people treated to suppress their viral load which is key in fighting the HIV.
He acknowledged the DG NACA for all he’s doing, saying NACA’s achievement is not just coincidence but a testimony of what has been achieved.
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