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World Aids Day: "End Inequality, End AIDS, End Pandemics."[/b]

By Dr. Uduak Daniel, NACA South-South Zonal Coordinator

Each year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Nigeria has adapted the global 2021 WAD theme, "End Inequality, End AIDS, End Pandemics” with a very apt emphasis on sustainable financing. The Nigerian 2021 WAD theme therefore is, "End Inequality, End AIDS through Sustainable Financing," that is why the NACA South-South Zonal Office (SSZO) covering Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states is holding this town hall meeting and press briefing to discuss the inequalities that still exist in the zone, how to address them and how sustainable financing of activities by governments can reduce new infections.

The NAIIS 2018 findings of 3.1% HIV prevalence in the South-South zone led to several activities including the strengthening of partnerships with key public and private sector actors as well as generating data for sustained programming. One of such was the NACA Directorate of Policy, Planning & Stakeholder Coordination’s (DPP&C) conduct of an assessment of the States Agencies for the Control of AIDS (SACAS') capacity to coordinate their states' HIV responses. Five domains - governance and leadership, planning budgeting and resource mobilization, M&E and information management systems, thematic technical capacity and information technology were considered. Findings indicate that we are far from Uhuru in the sub-national response.

Even with the South-South HIV remarkable results of having 433, 151 PLHIV, People Living with HIV, out 516,000 on treatment, there is still a challenge with the SACAs’ report on the non-health sector activities. The imperativeness of working with the PLHIV groups and other actors is evident. The need for the state governments to be more involved in ensuring HIV-competent indigenes is paramount. Ensuring that PLHIV, key populations and other vulnerable groups are enabled to access HIV services is a necessity. The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (eMTCT), procurement of HIV test kits, antiretroviral drugs and other commodities and consumables is a must. Four state governments need to waive user fees to enhance access to treatment. Structural interventions that address policy, legal and individual empowerment concerns will reduce vulnerability in unprecedented ways. More than ever, addressing each state's peculiarities pragmatically may see us inching closer to sustained responses.

Let us continue to raise awareness in the South-South states.
Let us continue to wear the red ribbon in support and solidarity with PLHIV.
Let the PLHIV continue to make their voice heard on issues important in their lives.
Let PLHIV groups and other partners and stakeholders in the SS AIDS response continue to advocate for effective mobilization of resources.
Let everyone participate in data and evidence generation on the current state of the epidemic in their localities.

End Inequality, End AIDS through Sustainable Financing may be 2021’s WAD theme but it is also the beginning of the realization of a more sustainable regional response. THANK YOU!