The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control, Amobi Ogah, says Nigeria needs about $8 billion annually to sustain its fight against HIV/AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic immune system disease which is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Ogah spoke on Thursday at the closing of the 7th National Council on AIDS held at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The three-day meeting, attended by policymakers, health experts, civil society groups and development partners, focused on the theme: “Advancing the HIV Sustainability Agenda in the Changing Global Policy on Aid.”
He identified inadequate funding as the major challenge to the HIV/AIDS response in Nigeria and across Africa. He said more than 70 per cent of resources for the fight come from foreign donors and called for increased domestic investment to reduce dependence on external support.
“We in the Parliament will continue to advocate that the Nigerian Government must take the lead in the fight against AIDS by increasing funding to the sector,” Ogah said, adding that the House Committee had provided greater budgetary allocations and strengthened oversight of HIV/AIDS programmes.
Ogah stressed the need to integrate HIV care into primary healthcare to address related illnesses such as tuberculosis, salmonella infections, cardiovascular disease, depression, hypertension, cancer and diabetes.
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He noted that the suspension of aid by the United States (US) had prompted the Federal Government and stakeholders to develop strategies to bridge the funding gap.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving $200 million for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria interventions.
Ogah urged stakeholders to step up efforts to combat stigma, promote gender equality in HIV prevention and care, and prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
He reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to providing legislative support for comprehensive healthcare and sustainable funding of HIV/AIDS programmes.
