The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) reassured Nigerians on Wednesday that the country has a steady supply of antiretroviral drugs. This assurance followed concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO) about disruptions in the supply of HIV treatments, including in Nigeria. The disruption came after the United States decided to halt foreign aid, which affected HIV programs in several countries.

WHO Warns of the Impact of U.S. Aid Pause

The WHO highlighted the potential impact of the U.S. aid halt on HIV programs in countries such as Nigeria, Haiti, Kenya, and Ukraine. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, warned that this decision could jeopardize millions of lives. He cautioned that the U.S. aid freeze might reverse two decades of progress in the fight against HIV. This setback could result in over 10 million new HIV cases and three million related deaths, along with a negative impact on other health initiatives like polio, malaria, and tuberculosis.

Nigeria’s Response to the U.S. Aid Pause

In response, Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director-General of NACA, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government had taken proactive measures to mitigate any potential shortages of HIV drugs. He explained that the Federal Executive Council had approved $1.07 billion to finance healthcare sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity program. Additionally, N4.8 billion was allocated specifically for HIV treatment. Ilori also mentioned that the Nigerian Senate had recently allocated N300 billion to the health sector in the 2025 budget to address the immediate funding gap caused by the U.S. aid pause.

Government’s Efforts to Ensure Sustainability of HIV Response

Dr. Ilori emphasized that while the Nigerian government acknowledged the U.S. support over the past two decades, the aid withdrawal provided an opportunity for Nigeria to mobilize its own resources. He said that this would help the country take greater ownership of its HIV response and ensure its long-term sustainability. “We want to assure Nigerians, particularly those living with HIV, that there is no shortage of drugs or consumables,” Ilori stated. He added that HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services would continue uninterrupted in Nigeria.

Continued Commitment to the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Dr. Amobi Ogah, Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, also highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS. He noted that the government had allocated N700 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and immunization programs in response to the U.S. administration’s withdrawal of financial support. NACA reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring all Nigerians have access to quality HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, despite the challenges posed by the aid disruption.