US spends over $5.4 in fight against HIV in Nigeria – Deputy Mission chief

The US Deputy Chief of Mission, Kathleen Fitzgibbon said the United State government has spent over $5.4 to support Nigeria in the fight against HIV in the last 15 years through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Fitzgibbon stated this  in Asaba on Thursday at the launch of the Antiritroviral Therapy (ART) Surge Response by the Delta state government.

FitzGibbon however, expressed concern over the rate of new infections, adding that many persons living with HIV are afraid of stigmatisation.

She said Delta State is aiming at 70 percent viral suppression rate target of September 2020, and urged stakeholders to see people living with HIV who have suppressed their viral load as heroes.

 “I ask that each of us see people living with HIV who have suppressed their viral loads as heroes. They are the franchise players in stopping new infections.

“They should be lauded for their courage in coming forward despite possible stigmatisation. They should be applauded for staying on treatment and should be recognised for making the disease untransmitable and stopping the disease in its tracks,” she said.

FitzGibbon also pledged the U.S. Government’s support to Delta state especially in the identification and provision of treatment to approximately 63,000 people living with HIV, in addition to the over 17,500 people already receiving such treatment through the PEPFAR programme in the state.

On his part, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa restated his commitment to the fight against HIV, announcing the approval of N100 million for the course.

Okowa pledged to work with the state legislature to accelerate the adoption of the national anti-stigma and discrimination law for enforcement in the state.

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