FG urged to take ownership of HIV response

The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPHWAN) has called on the Federal Government to take ownership of the response to HIV to avert looming  crisis in the country. National Coordinator of the association, Victor Omosheyin made the call yesterday in Abuja during the 2017 Candlelight Memorial for those that have died of […]

The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPHWAN) has called on the Federal Government to take ownership of the response to HIV to avert looming  crisis in the country.

National Coordinator of the association, Victor Omosheyin made the call yesterday in Abuja during the 2017 Candlelight Memorial for those that have died of HIV.

He said prompt release of 100 percent budget for AIDS control, prevention, and treatment for the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would make a difference in the lives of people living with the disease.

Omosheyin added that it was the responsibility of the government and all groups engaged in providing such services to act within the purview of their individual mandate to ensure that People Living with HIV (PLHIV) access care and support services suitable to their needs in a sustainable manner.

The Director General National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Sani Aliyu who was represented by the Director, Partnership, Coordination and Support, Dr Emmanuel Alhassan said that the 90-90-90 target has received a boost in Nigeria with the new guidelines of test and treat.

“We have a renew hope of viral suppression that would provide the potency to stop further transmission as a prevention tool while prolonging the lives of the infected persons,” he said.