The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has announced that it will hold the seventh National Council on AIDS. The main focus will be on how Nigeria is handling HIV, especially with changes in global financial support.
This was shared in a statement by Dr. Daniel Ndukwe, who is leading the planning committee. He made the announcement on Thursday.
The event will take place in Lagos, with help from the Lagos State Agency for the Control of AIDS. The theme is “Advancing national HIV sustainability agenda in the changing global policy on aid.”
The meeting will include people from government offices, civil society groups, international partners, and communities affected by HIV. They will talk about how to keep HIV prevention, care, and treatment going strong in the long term.
The National Council on AIDS was created by the NACA Act of 2006. It is the top body for coordinating HIV efforts in Nigeria. The upcoming seventh session will look at what has been achieved so far and plan for the future.
Before the meeting, NACA Director-General and Council Chair, Dr. Temitope Ilori, said it’s important to keep HIV programs going even as international donors change their priorities.
She said, “As global support changes, Nigeria needs to act quickly to make sure HIV services remain strong and available. This Council gives us the chance to plan that future together.”
The meeting will focus on three main topics: how to keep HIV programs going with less global aid, how different sectors can work together on HIV and similar health issues, and how to strengthen local health systems.
As part of the event, there will also be technical discussions, a review of decisions made at the last Council meeting, and a chance for groups to submit suggestions for new policies and actions.
This seventh meeting will act as a national platform to bring together efforts across many areas, including HIV, TB, malaria, reproductive health, and improving the overall health system.