HIV Treatment in Nigeria: A Pending Challenge in the Wake of International Donor Withdrawal

HIV Treatment in Nigeria: A Pending Challenge in the Wake of International Donor Withdrawal

The Current State of HIV Treatment in Kaduna, Nigeria

Dr. Gambo Aliyu, the Director General of the National Centre for the Control of Aids (NACA), has recently announced that over 40,000 people in Kaduna State, Nigeria, are currently receiving antiretroviral drugs for HIV control. These treatments have been made possible through the decades-long support of international donors. However, it has been forewarned that these donors plan to discontinue their support in the upcoming two to three years. This impending withdrawal of international aid will leave Nigeria to shoulder the annual cost of over N2 billion needed to provide these crucial drugs.

Planning for a Future Without Donor Support

Against this backdrop, Aliyu has stressed the critical need for strategic planning to ensure that communities can remain HIV free after the withdrawal of donor support. He has highlighted the role of religious leaders as key influencers in shaping societal attitudes and effecting change in communities. The danger of a future without international support for HIV treatment was discussed in depth at a dialogue organized by the Nigerian Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+).

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The Intersection of HIV Stigma and Gender-Based Violence

Amber Erinmwine, the Executive Director of NINERELA+, has underscored the physical, emotional, and social damage caused by HIV stigma and gender-based violence, both of which were focal points of the dialogue. Aisha Usman, a NINERELA+ Nigerian Ambassador and Board Chairman who has been living with HIV for over 23 years, has called on religious leaders to actively work towards reducing HIV spread, stigmatisation, and gender-based violence.

Need for Immediate Action

Dr. Terngu Gwar, the State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), voiced his agreement with the urgent need to tackle these issues. He emphasized that discrimination and gender-based violence are critical development issues that need immediate attention. Representatives of religious organisations also stressed that faith-based leaders must stay updated on these developments and challenges to help find effective solutions, while acknowledging the persistent issue of stigma.

The Importance of Continued Efforts

The dialogue was a significant step towards raising awareness about the prevailing and evolving issue of HIV. Even as Nigeria faces the impending challenge of donor withdrawal, it is clear that the fight against HIV requires continued and concerted efforts from all sectors of society. The importance of planning for a future without international donor support has been underscored, and the role of local leaders and communities has been highlighted as a critical factor in maintaining the progress achieved thus far.

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