Stakeholders at the launch of a campaign programme, in commemoration of the 2019 World AIDS Day in Abuja, have harped on the need for all hands to be on deck in the fight against the epidemic.


The campaign code named ”the Nigeria National Undetectable equals Untransmittable, U=U was organized by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA).


Ekwi Ajide of our Abuja bureau reports that U=U is an informational campaign about how effective HIV medications are at preventing sexual transmission of HIV.
With U=U, people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load which is the amount of HIV in the blood by taking and adhering to their HIV medication as prescribed, cannot sexually transmit the virus to others.
According to the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM), Ms. Kathleen FitzGibbon PEPFAR works closely with the Nigerian government towards achieving HIV epidemic control while promoting the long-term sustainability of their responses to find, link, and maintain patients on life-saving HIV treatment adding that the U.S. Government has invested more than $5 billion in the national HIV/AIDS response.


She noted that, PEPFAR recognizes that successful and sustainable HIV/AIDS interventions must involve, be informed by, and tailored to those served hence its commitment to reaching all populations and linking them to HIV services remains strong.
Ms FitzGibbon, is optimistic that with U=U which empowers patients not only to get tested but to take control of their status, with the ultimate goal of maintaining an undetectable viral load they can achieve HIV epidemic control in Nigeria.
In his speech, the Director General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, said Nigeria is on the path of achieving HIV/AIDS epidemic control through its community efforts.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire represented by Pharmacist Olubumi Lawal, urged people living with HIV/AIDS to always adhere to their doctor’s instructions as the federal government will not relent in its efforts at ensuring that the country achieves the desired epidemic control by 2030 He revealed the Federal government had expended about two million dollars to acquire the required drugs to achieve the dream.
For the National Coordinator of people living with HIV/AIDS, Mr. Abdulkabir Ibrahim, said eighty five to ninety percent HIV awareness is achieved but stated that stigmatization is still a huge problem in Nigeria.

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