Home Nigeria US votes additional $469mn to tackle HIV/AIDS in Nigeria

US votes additional $469mn to tackle HIV/AIDS in Nigeria

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Monday Ashibogwu
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(Quick News Africa)- The United States government at the weekend committed to providing additional $469 million to help tackle the menace of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
 
Through, the Nigeria Country Operational Plan (COP) 2017, the US said, the fund will be cover centrally funded initiatives that support HIV prevention, care, and treatment in the country.
 
The Nigeria HIV/AIDS COP 2017 was signed by Deborah Birx,who is the global AIDS coordinator.
 
Stuart Symington, US ambassador to Nigeria, and Sani Aliyu, director general of
National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), co-signed the document, describing it as a historic occasion, representing the first time such an agreement was signed in the focus country.
 
COP is an annual program plan for US government investments in the Nigeria National HIV/AIDS Response through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). 
 
Since its inception in Nigeria in 2004, PEPFAR has disbursed more than $4.3 billion in support of the Nigeria HIV/AIDS response, according to an embassy statement issued Friday.
 
“Right here, right now, in this effort, Nigerians working with the United States can change the course of Nigeria’s history for ever when it comes to health,” said Symington.
 
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian government, Aliyu said the government and people of Nigeria are deeply appreciative of US government assistance to the country on HIV/AIDS control.  
 
“Remember that we have just about crossed the first million people on treatment, and most of it is driven by the US government, with more than 700,000 people on treatment.  You are committing already to putting an additional 260,000 people on treatment.  That means the U.S. government is keeping alive hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, who are currently looking after their families, putting bread on the table,” the NACA boss further expressed. 
 
 “This was the first time that we have ever signed a US government commitment on HIV/AIDS to a country, in that country” Birx explained.
 
According to her, “I think Nigeria can go from some of the lowest numbers in all of West and Central Africa to the leadership position that it should be in, and really shining the light on how to control this pandemic and ensure all Nigerians can thrive.”
 

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