HIV: Youths seek sustained multi-sectoral response for prevention

Adolescents and young people have said there is a need to sustain the Multi-Sectoral Response for HIV Prevention. They made the call Tuesday in a communique issued during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Nigeria HIV Prevention Conference. The youths, which comprise over 170 representatives, said, “We recognise that collaboration and partnerships across sectors  are […]

Adolescents and young people have said there is a need to sustain the Multi-Sectoral Response for HIV Prevention.

They made the call Tuesday in a communique issued during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Nigeria HIV Prevention Conference.

The youths, which comprise over 170 representatives, said, “We recognise that collaboration and partnerships across sectors  are key in the fight against HIV/AIDS.  To this end, we call for the active involvement and engagement of multiple sectors, including health, education, youth and sports development, budget and planning, women’s affairs and others alike in the integration of HIV prevention interventions in programmes targeting adolescents and young people.”

They called for the meaningful engagement of adolescents and young people living with HIV including key populations in inter-ministerial task forces and technical working groups responsible for the coordination of multi-sectoral collaboration, resource mobilisation, and implementation of HIV prevention programmes.

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The youths called for support for the effective implementation of comprehensive sexuality education, and the strengthening of the in-school Family Life and HIV Education Programme in Nigeria.

Also speaking during the closing ceremony, director general of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, said the agency was committed to strengthening multi-sectoral engagement to end HIV in the country.

The Country Director, UNAIDS, Leo Zekeng, said he strongly believed it was possible to reduce new HIV infections and end AIDS in Nigeria.