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Nigeria’s HIV success story must be sustained — Ex-minister Adewole

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Nigeria's response to HIV/AIDS is hailed as a major public health success, significantly reducing the disease's burden.
  • Sustained investments, effective prevention programs, and community-based care have improved outcomes for millions.
  • Experts caution that emerging challenges like antimicrobial resistance and declining donor support require continued efforts and domestic financing to maintain progress.

Former Minister of Health and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Canada, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has lauded Nigeria's HIV response as one of the most significant public health achievements of modern times. He stated that strategic investments in treatment, prevention, and community-based care have transformed millions of lives and substantially lessened the impact of the disease.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Adewole highlighted that free and subsidized antiretroviral therapy, along with decentralized HIV care and prevention services, have led to improved outcomes. He noted that the expansion of these services, coupled with prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs and behavioral interventions, has reduced new infections and AIDS-related deaths.

The HIV response remains one of the great public health success stories of our time. Free and subsidised antiretroviral therapy, decentralised HIV care and prevention services have helped improve outcomes for millions of people.

— Prof. Isaac AdewoleDescribing Nigeria's success in combating HIV/AIDS.

Adewole pointed to the HIV response as a model for public health interventions, demonstrating the power of sustained investment, strong partnerships, and evidence-based strategies. He also cited progress in other areas, including maternal and child health, tuberculosis control, malaria prevention, and immunization programs, attributing these gains to improved healthcare services and access to essential medicines.

Despite these successes, Adewole cautioned that emerging challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change, pandemics, and economic instability pose threats to hard-won gains. He stressed the critical need for domestic financing and strengthened health systems to ensure these achievements are sustained, especially as international donor support potentially declines. "We need to do more than ever before to ensure that these gains are sustained," he urged.

We need to do more than ever before to ensure that these gains are sustained.

— Prof. Isaac AdewoleWarning about the need for continued efforts to maintain public health achievements.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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