As external funding dwindles, the Federal Government has called for state governments’ involvement in the domestic ownership of the HIV/AIDS response programmes by providing more budgetary funding and absorbing health workers at the risk of being laid off.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, who made the call at the flag-off of the Free to Shine Campaign for the South West held in Akure, expressed the government’s commitment to ensure adequate budgetary provision to sustain the national HIV/AIDS response.

He noted that adequate budgetary provision has been made in the 2025 budget to bridge the gap in the supply of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) drugs, reagents for testing and other essential inputs, adding that Nigeria is determined to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Salako stated that Nigeria is employing a multi-pronged approach to control HIV/AIDS, focusing on prevention, treatment, and care. This includes preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), social and behaviour change communication, and access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

He said, “We are testing, and treating for other STIs including Syphilis and Hepatitis B, promoting the correct and consistent use of condoms, addressing stigma and discrimination and providing antiretroviral therapy for about 1.7 million Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS. We are determined and we are making progress in the drive to make Nigeria HIV free.”

The minister observed that the request made for free or subsidised liver and kidney function tests for Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS is receiving the attention of the National AIDS and STI control programme.

He noted that the programme is in the process of determining those living with HIV/AIDS not covered by any insurance and will work with the NHIA to ensure they undergo laboratory tests without any financial hardship.

Salako pointed out that HIV, Hepatitis and Syphilis are preventable, stressing that when prevention fails, none of them is a death sentence. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030, with a renewed focus on accountability and sustainability, political commitment, improved funding, and enhanced healthcare delivery.

He commended the dedication of health workers to the HIV response and urged them to continue providing high-quality, patient-centred care to citizens. Salako commended the First Lady and Chief Health Champion of the nation for her tireless efforts in rallying stakeholders towards a healthier Nigeria.

He also praised the wives of state governors for supporting the Free to Shine initiative, which promotes prevention, treatment, and care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The Free to Shine campaign, championed by the First Lady, aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and reduce stigma around HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.