NIGERIA COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002546 SIPDIS SIPDIS CDC ALSO FOR DIRECTORS EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO EAID KPAO SOCI PGOV NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY ¶1. Summary: The HIV infection rate in Nigeria is estimated to be 4.4% or 3.9 million inhabitants with the most vulnerable the 20-24 year age group along with an estimated 930,000 orphans. The USG is the largest bilateral donor at $304 million for 2007 and holds the donor coordination chairmanship in Nigeria. The USG HIV/AIDS Team and its development partners held activities throughout Nigeria to commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1, 2007 and the team looks to exceed its targets as it prepares to implement the 2008 Country Operational Plan. End Summary ¶2. The primary HIV/AIDS coordinating body for the Government of Nigeria (GON) is the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) along with the Federal Ministry of Health. The HIV infection rate in Nigeria is estimated at 4.4% of the population (Federal Ministry of Health, 2005) or about 3.9 million inhabitants infected with HIV and an estimated 930,000 AIDS orphans. In addition, Nigeria has one of the highest tuberculosis (TB) rates (290/100,000 population, WHO 2006) in the world and the largest TB burden in Africa. Many TB cases go undetected despite increasing TB detection rates and TB program coverage. ¶3. Nigeria's HIV/AIDS epidemic is largely confined to heterosexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission, but there are clearly identifiable risk groups such as girls who marry at a young age. By 2015, an estimated 16.2% of the total population under 15 years of age will be orphaned, up from only 5.2% in 2000. The current HIV prevalence peaks in the 20 to 24 year age group which implies that people are becoming infected at an early age. With over half of the infected population under 25 years of age, Nigeria was classified as a "second wave" country by the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence's National Intelligence Council. While prevalence estimates imply that the stage is set for the next and larger wave of the epidemic to transpire over the next decade, the USG will work to counter such a situation with intensified and targeted prevention activities. . USG efforts -------------- . ¶4. The United States is the largest bilateral donor to the Nigeria HIV/AIDS sector, having provided a total of $304 million in support in 2007. The USG in-country agencies include USAID, HHS/CDC, HHS/NIH, Department of State, and Department of Defense. ¶5. Funding in Nigeria is focused on treatment, prevention, and basic care and support. Treatment activities include the provision of antiretroviral drugs and services to eligible patients as well as laboratory support for the diagnosis and monitoring of HIV positive patients identified through USG Nigeria activities. Prevention activities include prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT),abstinence and be faithful (AB) programs, blood and injection safety, and other prevention initiatives (focused on high risk populations). Care activities in Nigeria include HIV counseling and testing (HCT),palliative care, TB/HIV, and support for orphans/vulnerable children (OVC). ¶6. In addition to our regular planning with NACA and the Federal Ministry of Health, the USG team holds one of two bilateral seats on the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund and is the current Chair of the Development Partners Group for HIV/AIDS, which is the primary donor coordination body for multilateral and bilateral organizations providing HIV support. ¶7. In addition to USG agencies, development partners include the Global Fund; World Bank; the Clinton Foundation and UNAIDS; DFID; JICA; CIDA; WHO; and UNICEF. Others include the African Development Bank, International Labor Organization (ILO),Italian Cooperation, UNDP, UNDCP, UNFPA, and UNIFEM. The USG will continue to leverage funding from both the Global Fund and the Clinton Foundation. The Global Fund has approved five HIV/AIDS and TB grants for Nigeria, totaling approximately $100 million in lifetime awards to support the expansion of TB services, Anti-Retroviral Treatment, PMTCT and the promotion of civil society's role in the HIV/AIDS response. . USG World AIDS Day Activities -------------- . ¶8. Public Affairs Office (PAO) commemorated World AIDS Day at American Corners venues from December 3-5 in twelve states (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Maiduguri, Bauchi and Sokoto) highlighting the theme, "Leadership and HIV/AIDS Prevention in Nigeria." The programs entailed discussion around issues in HIV/AIDS such as mitigation, diversity of the epidemic context and the prevention needs for each state, and leadership on AIDS. Personal testimonials from PEPFAR program beneficiaries gave a human face to USG activities in Nigeria. ABUJA 00002546 002 OF 002 ¶9. In partnership with the University of Lagos Medical Center, PAO Lagos conducted a World AIDS Day march and rally with more than 2000 students to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. There was also a three-day workshop for 29 Imams from Lagos State on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness. The event was organized by the NGO Muslims Against AIDS (MAIDS) from November 27 to 29. The workshop, specifically timed to focus attention on World AIDS Day, prepared participants to educate members of their communities. Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),addressed technical aspects of HIV and AIDS. MAIDS, in turn, identified Islamic scholars and other medical practitioners to address the implications of HIV/AIDS in the context of Islamic practice. . USG Development Partners Activities -------------- . ¶10. USG partners activities included: -Enabling HIV/AIDS, TB and Social Sector Environments (ENHANSE) activities supported in Abuja included TV/Radio talk shows, a media roundtable on the leadership theme, and an advocacy march by People Living with AIDs (PLWAs) to the National Assembly to demand early passage of the bill on Stigma and Discrimination. -In the week leading up to World AIDS Day, Safe Blood for Africa (SBFAF),conducted a blood drive at the offices of CDC/Nigeria in Abuja and used the cellular telephone network to initiate text messaging on the importance of "knowing your status". -The Defense Headquarters Medical Center, a Nigerian Ministry of Defense - U.S. Department of Defense HIV Program PEPFAR site supported activities at Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja. This included HIV prevention education and awareness activities, the initiation of a peer education training program for PLWAs, and a candlelight vigil. ¶11. NACA held a week long program leading up to World AIDS Day in Abuja. This included radio jingles, newspaper advertisements, community outreach activities, round table discussions and blood drives. On December 1, NACA sponsored an advocacy walk and rally. Participants included the UN Resident Coordinator and the USAID General Development Officer on behalf of the Development Partners Group which includes USG/Nigeria. . Looking to the future -------------- . ¶12. Post anticipates receiving approval for its 2008 Country Operational Plan in early 2008. With President Bush continuing his support by committing an additional five year commitment of $30 billion, post expects to exceed its 2007 targets in the three areas of treatment, prevention, and basic care and support. PIASCIK