NIGERIA - HIV/AIDS ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS ABUJA 001079

SIPDIS

USAID/W FOR GH/AA, ANN PETERSON, DUFF GILLESPIE
AND FOR GH/HIV-AIDS, PAUL DELAY

TAGS: NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA - HIV/AIDS ASSESSMENT


1. Summary: USAID/Nigeria would like to thank the Global
Bureau for Health for their recent assistance in assessing
our HIV/AIDS program. The participation of two US Direct
Hires with critical distinct expertise contributed greatly
to the successful analysis and cogent recommendations for
the way forward.



2. USAID/Nigeria recently hosted a team of experts to
assess our HIV/AIDS program, to determine progress to date
and to make recommendations for the way forward so as to
maximize U.S. dollar investment and program impact.
Participating on the team were: international and Nigerian
HIV/AIDS experts including Harriet Destler, Monitoring and
Evaluation Specialist; and Pam Wolf, Program Management
Specialist, of the Global Bureau for Health's HIV/AIDS
office.



3. Because of Ms. Destler and Ms. Wolf's understanding of
HIV/AIDS within the context of USAID including USAID's
comparative advantages, programming mechanisms and
monitoring & evaluation requirements, they offered
exceptional insights that are of considerable value to the
Mission. USAID/Nigeria is at a critical juncture in its
HIV/AIDS programming as it embarks on a strategic planning
exercise that will determine program direction for the 2004
- 2009 time period. The recent HIV/AIDS assessment will
not only lay the foundation for the Mission's HIV/AIDS
strategy, but has also provided the Mission with important
recommendations for adjustments to the current program.



4. In light of the above experience and in reference to
the recent cable on support to the field from the GBH
HIV/AIDS Office, USAID/Nigeria would like to reiterate its
thanks and also indicate interest in further GBH assistance
to our HIV/AIDS program. A subsequent cable will detail
our further needs for assistance. JETER