In its continued dedication to public well being and group well-being, the Nigerian Enterprise Coalition In opposition to AIDS (NIBUCAA), in longstanding partnership with Entry Holdings, efficiently offered HIV testing to over 2000 individuals on the just lately concluded Entry Financial institution Lagos Metropolis Marathon 2025.
The occasion which held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Eko Atlantic Metropolis, Lagos, the end line of the race, additionally served as a platform to sensitize over 3,000 people on HIV prevention and distribute over 2,000 important Data, Training, and Communication (IEC) supplies, together with quite a few packs of condoms.
This impactful initiative brings to thoughts the truth that it’s a crucial second for Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response. Noting that on January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Govt Order pausing all international support funding for 90 days. This pause instantly impacts the US Authorities-funded President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reduction (PEPFAR), which gives roughly 70% of the full US$500 million each year required for Nigeria’s HIV response and presently helps over 1.5 million HIV-positive Nigerians on remedy.
This requires the pressing want of sturdy personal partnerships to form Nigeria’s future HIV/AIDS response, particularly given the rising issues over the nation’s heavy reliance on worldwide donor funding, and the potential influence of latest coverage modifications. NIBUCAA through the years has been the spine of galvanizing the personal sector and its assets to return collectively…,.
Esther Graham, a member of Entry Holdings Sustainability Crew, acknowledged, “It has by no means been extra necessary to have packages and collaborations like this, and Entry Holdings is proud to be part of this initiative. With Nigeria having one of many highest HIV/AIDS burdens in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is important that we take decisive actions to create consciousness and provides entry to free HIV/AIDS testing companies. Strategic personal partnerships are extra necessary than ever within the Nigerian HIV/AIDS response.”
There’s additionally a regarding notion amongst many Nigerians that HIV is not a important well being risk. In actuality, HIV continues to pose a critical public well being problem. It isn’t solely transmitted by way of well-known routes similar to unprotected sexual contact and contaminated blood, however misconceptions about different modes of transmission persist, undermining prevention efforts. Dispelling these myths and reinforcing correct data is crucial to make sure that everybody understands the dangers and adopts the required preventive measures.
Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, member of the African HIV Management Working Group and former CEO of NIBUCAA and HTFN remarked,”The Nigerian authorities urgently must put together an emergency plan to make sure that the 1.9 million HIV-positive Nigerians have
safe entry to remedy, monitoring, and help within the occasion that exterior funding for HIV is halted or curtailed.” He emphasised, “We have to strengthen our well being and group methods to successfully combine HIV companies, particularly, into Major Well being Care and Common Well being Protection. We should take full possession of our nationwide HIV response, a ‘burning platform second’, a time of pressing disaster requiring speedy motion. International solidarity ought to serve solely because the icing on the cake. If we don’t act swiftly, folks will die!”
Entry Financial institution is likely one of the main member companions of NIBUCAA, collaborating with over 20 of Nigeria’s high companies, together with the Dangote Group and Shell Growth Firm of Nigeria within the combat in opposition to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Their steadfast help has been instrumental in driving group outreach, progressive well being packages, and advocacy efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s resilience in opposition to HIV/AIDS.
NIBUCAA stays dedicated to galvanizing the personal sector in its efforts to remodel Nigeria’s HIV response by selling sustainable, pushed options and making certain that high quality HIV/AIDS companies are accessible to all Nigerians. Along with its companions, NIBUCAA will proceed to drive impactful community-based interventions, advocate for strong public well being insurance policies.
