Withdrawal Of Foreign HIV Aid, A Wake Up Call – Akwa Ibom Govt

Friday February 7, 2025 | TheNewsDESK

Akwa Ibom State Government says the withdrawal of foreign aid for HIV is a wake-up call for Nigeria to prioritise local strategies for sustainable responses to health programmes, BusinessDAY reports.

Emabong Akpan, Programme Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), stated this during a capacity building workshop on evidence-based advocacy for gender responsive HIV, TTB and malaria response in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

“The era of integration is here. We have learned from the experience of the recent withdrawal of foreign aid for HIV by the USA, and we are working tirelessly to strengthen the local response. One of the key drivers of sustainable funding and improved healthcare delivery is strong advocacy”, Akpan stated.

He urged participating Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to utilise the knowledge gained from the workshop to advocate for policies that would guarantee long-term funding and gender-responsive interventions.

Moses Essien, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House Committee on Health, emphasised the critical role of gender-sensitive healthcare policies in combating HIV, TB, and malaria, noting that the diseases disproportionately impact women, girls, and marginalised communities, who often face significant challenges in accessing timely treatment and care.

“I am confident that the insights and skills gained from this workshop will help shape a more responsive, equitable, and sustainable health system, one that ensures the most vulnerable populations are not left behind and that gender-related barriers are effectively addressed”, Essien stated.

He further reaffirmed the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to supporting advocacy initiatives that promote improved healthcare delivery across the State.

Speaking at the event, Olayemi Agoro, Director of Administration and Finance at Lawyers Alert, highlighted the urgency of advocacy efforts in the face of shifting global policies.

He emphasised that unpredictable decisions, such as the U.S. President’s recent executive order impacting HIV funding underscored the need for proactive engagement by Nigerian CSOs and policymakers.