By Miracle Ogunde
The sum of N4.8 billion has been approved by the federal government fir the procurement of Human Immunodeficiency Virus treatment packs.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting presided by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Aside from the HIV treatment packs, the FEC also approved 1.07 billion dollars for healthcare sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity programme.
“As part of broader healthcare reforms, the council also approved N4.8 billion for the procurement of 150,000 HIV treatment packs over the next four months,” the minister said.
Pate explained that the HOPE programme was in line with the administration’s agenda to strengthen human capital development.
“The funds will be directed toward improving governance in healthcare and enhancing primary healthcare services nationwide.
“This financing will support recruitment, training, and retention of healthcare workers and teachers at the subnational level,” Pate said.
According to him, 500 million dollars was dedicated to expanding the quality, utilisation and resilience of the primary healthcare system, including emergency maternal and child health services.
“This initiative underscores the federal government’s commitment to providing life-saving treatment and reducing healthcare costs for vulnerable populations,” he said.
A new survey by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS indicates that Nigeria has an HIV prevalence of 1.3 per cent.
NACA also notes that Nigeria has the highest number of people living with HIV in West and Central Africa, adding that international support has been critical in sustaining its HIV/AIDS response.
The N4.8bn committed to the procurement of HIV treatment packs was coming on the heels of the executive order by the US President, Donald Trump, to halt funding for at least 90 days pending a review.
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