NACA asks states to fund HIV response efforts

Dr Gambo Aliyu, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has advised states to be self-sufficient in their sponsorship of HIV responses in order to achieve successful results.

On Wednesday in Abuja, he made the demand at the NACA/State Agencies for the Control of AIDS (SACA) National Alignment Programme and Sustainability meeting.

He stated that the new government presented an opportunity to re-engage our political leaders and generate appropriate domestic money for state-level HIV response.

“We must do this because the goal of eliminating HIV and AIDS-related deaths by 2030 will remain a pipe dream unless states take greater ownership of their responses.”

He explained that the current phenomena of donor weariness, as well as global practises of domestic sustainability, compelled NACA to support the development of SACA capacities in order to lead respective state responses in an effective and efficient manner.

According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates SACA’s issues, necessitating states’ readiness for pandemic responses.

He did, however, commend SACAs for their efforts in providing leadership and coordination of reactions in the face of adversity.

“However, a lot is expected of you, and this engagement signals our renewed journey to strengthen coordination and leadership at the state level,” Aliyu remarked.

“We can all agree that meeting the 2030 targets will necessitate doing more, planning better HIV responses by taking deliberate steps to ensure effective coordination and leaving no one behind.”

“We must also provide leadership in response to the National HIV Sustainability Agenda, which addresses all forms of inequity on the path to AIDS abolition by 2030.”

Also, a group plans a free medical and empowerment outreach for 500 Onitsha locals.
Dr Alabi Babajide, Project Manager and Executive Secretary of Kwara State AIDS Control Agency (KWASACA), emphasised the importance of collaboration between NACA and sub-national organisations.

He explained that such collaboration is critical to achieve an HIV-free Nigeria by 2030.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Alignment and Sustainability workshop will provide a platform for engagement and shared knowledge of pressing problems surrounding HIV/AIDS solutions.

The meeting’s specific objectives include engaging and strengthening coordination with State AIDS Control Agencies (SACAs), as well as having a shared understanding of the alignment programme and the sustainability agenda. It also entails bringing together the interests of government at all levels and forging consensus for the New Business Model’s implementation. (NAN)