Protocols:
Prof. Osagie Ehanire, Honorable Minister for Health
Dr. Adeleke Mamora, Honorable Minister of State for Health
Dr. Aliyu Gumel, Director General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS
Heads of bilateral and multilateral partner agencies
Other senior health officials and dignitaries
Invited guests
Ladies and gentlemen
On behalf of the entire U.S. Mission, it is my absolute delight to join you today to celebrate the official presentation of the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) Technical Report to the Government of Nigeria. This important occasion comes after rigorous scientific validation of the survey data and conclusions, about one year after President Muhammadu Buhari announced the preliminary NAIIS results.
In 2018, the U.S. Government, through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), supported the Government of Nigeria with about $71 million to carry out the largest population-based HIV survey in the world. That survey provided detailed epidemiologic data on HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C in the country and assessed the impact of 15 years of PEPFAR investment in Nigeria. The results have enabled the Government and partners to focus on providing services to the areas with the greatest need to control the HIV epidemic.
Our support was provided through the PEPFAR program implementing agencies, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In addition to funding support, the CDC provided technical guidance and oversight, ensuring the project was conducted and concluded in record time.
The timely conclusion increased stakeholders understanding of the epidemic in Nigeria and provided critical data that informed programmatic decisions and interventions toward accelerating the country to epidemic control.
I would like to recognize the role of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Agency for International Development in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. I will also like to recognize CDC’s implementing partner, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), for their tremendous efforts working with the Government and other partners to implement the survey and finalize the official report we are presenting today.
Let me assure you that the U.S. government stands ready to continue our partnership with the Government of Nigeria and other international and domestic partners to support Nigeria as it builds upon its successes in fighting HIV/AIDS.
I congratulate the Government of Nigeria for its commitment and efforts toward reaching HIV/AIDS epidemic control. I also recognize the tremendous support to our partners as they continue to implement the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Surge initiative and look forward to our continued collaboration to improve the health and well-being of the Nigerian people.
On behalf of the entire U.S. Mission, the PEPFAR implementing agencies, other bilateral and multilateral partners, I present to the honorable Minister a copy of the official Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey Technical Report.