U.S. commits $5.1bn to fight HIV/AIDs in Nigeria

The United States on Thursday said it has committed more than $5.1 billion in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria through U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. David Young disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of photo exhibition to commemorate 15th anniversary of PEPFAR in Nigeria. He […]

The United States on Thursday said it has committed more than $5.1 billion in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria through U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. David Young disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of photo exhibition to commemorate 15th anniversary of PEPFAR in Nigeria.

He said that PEPFAR, since inception, had transformed lives through access to lifesaving HIV prevention treatment services.

He said that U.S. global commitments stand at $72.7 billion, combatting what has been described as the worst human scourge in history.

“Before PEPFAR, HIV infection was a death sentence in Nigeria and many other African countries.  As one of the first countries to begin a national treatment programme, Nigeria placed about 15,000 men, women and children on anti-retroviral therapy,” he said. 

Working together with the Nigerian government, he said significant progress has been achieved since inception of PEPFAR in Nigeria 15 years ago.

Health Minister, Prof Isaac Adewole, commended the U.S. government for the support through the PEPFAR, saying the effort has brought relief to those living with the virus in Nigeria.

The Director General National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Sani Aliyu, said without HIV/AIDS programme, Nigeria would have lost about 1.5 million people to the scourge.