The Nigerian government has pledged $12 million to global fund for the next three years to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
A total $ 14.02 billion was pledged at the Sixth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund held in Lyon, France, on 9 and 10 October.
Toyin Aderigbigbe, head of press and publicity, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) who made this known in a statement said Nigeria’s pledge indicates a 20 percent increase as the country expressed commitment to increasing domestic resources for health and disease programmes.
According to the statement, the Global Fund investment case projected that the fund will help to save 16 million lives by 2030 through health system strengthening, reinforcing health security via disease surveillance and tackling health inequities, including human rights and gender barriers and spur a massive growth in domestic investment in health.
The statement added that an unprecedented 23 implementing countries from Africa made pledges to the Global Fund.
“With the incredible support of partners and donors around the world, we succeeded in reaching over US$ 14 billion to help save 16 million lives,” Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund was quoted saying.
“Every Nigerian has a right to good health. We have a responsibility to ensure that this basic right is available to all Nigerians. The government is committed to enhancing ownership and sustainability of the HIV/AIDS response,” said Osagie Ehanire honourable Minister of Health.
“Nigeria bears a huge burden of the global TB, malaria and HIV epidemics so it is imperative that both domestic and international investments are urgently scaled up,” said Gunilla Carlsson UNAIDS executive director.
“The continued Government of Nigeria funding for growing the National Treatment and Prevention Programmes is vital for the sustainability of the AIDS response. I appeal to all governors to equally commit to investing to end AIDS in Nigeria as a public health threat by 2030,” said Gambo Aliyu, director General, NACA.
HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are preventable and treatable diseases, yet globally they kill more than 2.6 million people each year.
GODSGIFT ONYEDINEFU, Abuja
