Nigeria Has Made Milestones In HIV Control – Ministry

Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), said it has reached laudable milestones towards achieving HIV epidemic control in the country.

This was made known by the national coordinator, NASCP,  Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, in the programme’s quarterly news nuggets made available to LEADERSHIP Friday in Abuja.

He said the four-point agenda of the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, includes; improved governance, efficient equitable and quality health cares, unlocking healthcare value chain, and health security for Nigerians.

Bashorun stated that in line with this agenda, NASCP’s mandate is to coordinate the formulation and effective implementation of Nigerian government policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures for the control of the HIV epidemic and treatment of people living with HIV (PLHIV).

“Quarter one commenced with the official launching of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 (GC7), by the minister, for the period 2024-2026. This is in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. NASCP under the distinct leadership of the national coordinator, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, is a principal recipient of the aforementioned grant, and intends to work unrelentingly along side other principal recipients, to ensure that the allocated resources are utilised towards mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Nigeria.

“Other achievements accomplished in this quarter include; the launching and introduction of the Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) Optimisation Toolkits in Nigeria in collaboration with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). The EID Optimisation Toolkit is positioned as a valuable resource, addressing not only EID programme indicators but also enhancing overall care for mothers, infants, and families in the HIV epidemic control,” he said.

The national coordinator further stated that NASCP and key implementing partners in HIV programme implementation reviewed the National Guidelines for HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care, adding that NASCP also developed the Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes (ECHO) curriculum in order to build capacities of technical / clinical staff to ensure they have the requisite high level skills and knowledge of HIV case management and other public health diseases through virtual weekly session.

This, he said will contribute to the health workers’ capacity building strategy of the government.

“This underscores the government’s commitment to the welfare of all Nigerian children, adolescents, young persons, pregnant women and adults. Whilst putting in place several response mechanisms aimed at reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS and ensuring that people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nigeria receive quality services, supported by PEPFAR,” he added.

Bashorun thanked all the partners, especially the Global Fund for its unrelenting support to state governments’ oversight of integrated HIV and Tuberculosis programmes across the 36 states of the country.

“This was through donations of vehicles and some medical equipment that were officially handed over to the federal government and unveiled by the minister of state for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa. This indeed aligns with efforts towards strengthening the states and devolving the HIV and TB response ownership to the states which is consistent with the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) and the HIV programme National Alignment for sustainability,” he said.

He assured of NASCP’s commitment to supporting the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare’s 4-point agenda, as well as collaborating and creating a conducive environment for partners and stakeholders in order to align with the national framework for SWAP.