Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Stakeholders in the health sector have said there is an urgent need for an integrated and unified response to epidemic control of HIV in the country.
The experts who spoke during the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 5th biannual stakeholder engagement meeting, held in Abuja, urged the government at all levels to harness the power of data and innovation to bridge equity gaps in HIV management.
The two-day event, themed “Strategic Pivoting Towards Program Simplification and Sustainable Public Health Intervention,” brought together federal and state officials, multilateral agencies, community leaders, and implementing partners.
Participants engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing collaboration and streamlining efforts to combat the HIV epidemic.
On the first day, attendees highlighted the importance of simplifying HIV programs to foster ownership and sustainability in public health interventions.
The stakeholders at the event agreed that a cohesive approach would not only improve service delivery but also maximise resources and impact.
The discussions also touched upon the need to address broader health issues, with stakeholders advocating for comprehensive strategies that integrate HIV services with other health interventions.
In his remarks on the first day, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. underscored the significance of collaboration among all parties involved in the fight against HIV.
Mills reaffirmed the U.S. Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders and communities to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control.
“Nigeria remains a model to the rest of the world on how to not only reach HIV epidemic control but also how to invest in people and communities, so they have the tools and skills to change their lives,” he stated.
On her part, the Acting Country Director for the U.S. CDC, Suzanne Theroux, called for continued innovation and cooperation to address the evolving challenges of the HIV response.
She emphasised the initiative “Getting the Data Right,” aimed at accurately determining the number of individuals receiving antiretroviral treatment, as a crucial step in validating treatment coverage and ensuring sustainable health outcomes.
Theroux added, “The coordinated response to recent outbreaks of Lassa fever, cholera, mpox and other epidemic-prone diseases reflects our collective resilience and resolve to achieve optimal health for all Nigerians.
“Our collaborative efforts are closing the gap for zero-dose children, combatting the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases, and implementing innovations to eliminate malaria as a public health threat in Nigeria”.
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