First Lady of Nigeria Aisha Buhari, has charged health authorities to remember that they are obligated to reduce any potential risk to the HIV community as funding, researchers and healthcare diverted to COVID-19.
She said it is essential that health services remain available to people living with and affected by HIV.
In a statement issued by the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, in the office of the first lady Aliyu Abdullahi, Mrs Buhari was represented by the Special Assistant to the President on African First Ladies, Mairo Almakura on Tuesday.
The event was held at the African First Ladies Peace Mission Secretariat, Abuja.
The first lady noted that no other epidemic has received as much global attention and support like HIV in the past two decades.
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As the UNAIDS HIV champion, Mrs. Buhari said she advocates for the eradication of mother to child transmission of HIV in Nigeria and she has mobilised the support of Governors wives to do the same at the state level.
She has also mobilized her team at Future Assured to collaborate with NACA on the inclusion of HIV services during the MNCH weeks.
Mrs Buhari noted that a joint initiative by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, African countries and international organizations has led to a three-year health promotion and HIV prevention advocacy among young people to ensure that HIV/AIDS is eradicated by 2030.
She thanked the Embassy of the Republic of China for their role in the successful collaboration.
(Editor Paul Akhagbemhe)
