OPINION: Issues on People Living win HIV/AIDS

The Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS (NEPWHAN) says up to 2.8 million people without access to antiretroviral therapy face death as Nigeria continues to depend heavily on donor funding for treatment programmes. 

Chair of NEPWHAN’s Board of Trustees, Abdulrahman Momodu said with only 700,000 on antiretroviral among 3.5 million people who live with HIV about 2.8 million Nigerians may be on their way to an untimely death if the government does not act fast to arrest the situation.

The concern comes as international donor partners who have historically funded HIV/AIDS continue to reduce their financial commitment. Speaking at the inauguration of NEPWHAN’s new executives in Abuja, Momodu said reduced donor funding has further increased the vulnerability of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Momodu said government taking a lead in funding HIV/AIDS programmes will ease testing, treatment and sustenance of services.

The network also demanded President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to delineate the roles of the federal ministry of health and the National Agency for Control of AIDS to end confusion and poor quality services. Its new coordinator Victor Omosehin said Nigeria’s most urgent task is to create opportunity for the next generation of Nigerian children to be born HIV free.

Source: Daily Times news paper