By Iyemah David
The Federal Government of Nigerian said it is intensifying efforts to tackle longstanding challenges in its HIV response.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Monday, during a webinar roundtable with the Global Fund, to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day.
Prof. Pate was represented by the Director-General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Temitope Ilori.
He said that part of the effort included the criminalisation of key populations and limited funding for health services.
According to him, a key government official in the health sector had outlined a series of strategic initiatives aimed at improving care accessibility, resource mobilisation, and service integration.
Speaking on the criminalisation of key populations, the Minister acknowledged its impact on healthcare access despite the existence of supportive facilities such as one-stop shops, youth-friendly services, and the Key Population Secretariat.
“Criminal laws still pose challenges in accessing care. However, we are working closely with stakeholders to ensure these populations are not left behind,” he said.
In a bid to strengthen domestic funding, Pate highlighted the importance of engaging state and local governments.
He said that the new law granting autonomy to local governments was a game changer.
“It will enable resource mobilisation at the local level, ensuring that funding for HIV response reaches communities where it is most needed,” he said.
He also said that efforts were underway to integrate HIV services into the broader healthcare system and decentralise service delivery.
He said that this transition would enhance efficiency and accessibility.
“We are moving away from vertical programmes and working to embed HIV services into the mainstream sector while decentralising care to ensure it reaches underserved areas,” he said.
According to Prof. Pate, data quality and digitalisation are also at the forefront of Nigeria’s HIV response strategy.
He noted improvements in data collection and reporting, which have earned Nigeria recognition from UNAIDS.
“We are now prioritising digital health initiatives, including electronic medical records and data systems, to strengthen accountability and decision-making,” he said.
He said that the government’s Sector-Wide Approach (SWAP), championed by the health ministry was fostering greater accountability and collaboration among stakeholders.
He described SWAP as a framework that promotes “one reporting line, one accountability system, and one unified project.”
Despite funding challenges, the minister expressed optimism about Nigeria’s progress.
“By engaging the private sector, state governments, and local governments, and leveraging digital health innovations, we are addressing barriers and building a more sustainable healthcare system,” he said.
Dr John Nkengasong, lead of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), expressed the programme’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing in Africa.
Nkengasong said that local manufacturing served as a cornerstone for sustaining the HIV response and strengthening global health security.
He said that PEPFAR’s strategy focused on three dimensions, which are Market Shaping, Regulatory Strengthening and Partnership Building.
“Market shaping is pledge to purchase up to 15 million made-in-Africa HIV rapid tests and 2–2.5 million antiretrovirals (ARVs) to stimulate local production and ensure market sustainability.
“Regulatory strengthening implies support for improving regulatory agencies across the continent to ensure locally manufactured products meet international quality standards.
“Partnership building means ongoing collaboration with the Global Fund, regional entities, and initiatives like an African Union approval framework to mobilise resources and establish robust production systems,” he said.
He said that local manufacturing provided a platform for resilience, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a stark example of the need for Africa-based diagnostic production.
“This initiative aims to foster long-term health independence and security across the continent,” he said.
Ms Christine Stegling, Deputy Executive Director of the Policy, Advocacy, and Knowledge Branch at UNAIDS, emphasised the importance of predictability in donor funding.
Stegling said that there was the need to know what is available for global health in the years to come.
