US grants $7.8 billion to Nigeria to help fight HIV/AIDS

 

The US government claims that more than $7.8 billion has been distributed under PEPFAR, the

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, to assist Nigeria in stepping up its HIV/AIDS response.

This was said in a statement released on Saturday by the US Embassy in Nigeria to honor the 20th anniversary of Impact through PEPFAR, which is observed every year on January 28.

According to the announcement, the $7.8 billion will be used to guarantee that Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS have full access to high-quality services for HIV prevention, care, and treatment.

It claimed that the investment enabled over 1.9 million Nigerians to obtain antiretroviral therapy (ART).

"Over 7.8 billion dollars have been spent by PEPFAR in Nigeria to guarantee that everyone living with HIV/AIDS has full access to high-quality services for HIV prevention, care, and treatment.

"Today, Nigeria is on the verge of controlling the HIV pandemic and is getting close to the worldwide '95-95-95' goals."

That means that 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their status, 95% of persons with HIV infection who have been identified are receiving treatment, and 95% of people who are receiving treatment have attained viral loads that are undetectable.

It stated that the objective of eliminating HIV/AIDS as a danger to public health by 2030 was ambitious but doable.

According to the declaration, PEPFAR symbolizes the best aspects of American ideals and is the largest commitment ever made by a country to combating a single disease.

According to the report, during the past 20 years, the US has contributed more than $100 billion to the global battle against HIV/AIDS and supported more than 20.1 million people receiving HIV treatment in more than 50 countries.

"By managing it without a vaccine or a cure, our two decades of investments have transformed the course of the HIV pandemic. We have prepared the groundwork for future HIV eradication through PEPFAR.

"We finally have the scientific knowledge, therapies, and means to build an AIDS-free future where everyone - no matter who they are, where they are from, or whom they love - can get the care and respect they deserve," President Joe Biden said on World AIDS Day in 2022.