As international donor funding for HIV and AIDS programmes in Nigeria faces a gradual decline, state governments are being urged to take greater responsibility for sustaining essential services for people living with the virus.
In Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria, the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries, alongside stakeholders, are developing a five-year transition plan to ensure continuity of HIV and AIDS interventions as donor support winds down.
For 25 years, the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, APIN, has played a significant role in Plateau State’s fight against HIV and AIDS, supporting prevention, treatment and care for people living with the virus.
But declining donor funding is forcing a gradual transition, raising concerns about how existing services will be sustained.
Director of Health Systems Strengthening at APIN, Dr. Ibinibo Chukwuemeka, explains the implications of the funding changes.
Health officials, government representatives and other stakeholders are now working to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of APIN’s planned exit and protect the gains recorded in HIV prevention, treatment and care across the state.
Among the proposals being considered are the integration of HIV and AIDS services into the Plateau State Health Insurance Scheme and efforts to explore local sources of antiretroviral drugs to ensure uninterrupted access to treatment.
With a five-year transition framework under consideration, APIN officials express optimism that the programme can remain sustainable, while the Plateau State Government is expected to play a greater role in financing and coordinating essential services.
The success of the transition will depend on sustained government commitment, effective planning and continued access to life-saving HIV treatment and care.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
