In its efforts to ensure that Key Affected Populations (KPs) have unhindered access to HIV and STI prevention, care and treatment services, the Federal Government has launched the Consolidated Service Delivery Guideline on HIV and STIs for key populations in Nigeria.

The document, which was developed with financial support from the Global Fund and technical support from Henry Jackson Foundation and Medical Research International (HJFMRI), will define the implementation of programmes and services for key populations and the children of key populations in Nigeria. It will provide guidance packages of HIV and STI services and performance indicators for monitoring and evaluation of these services across the country.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the national launch of the guideline, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA), Dr. Gambo Aliyu, said the intiative became necessary because key populations have become constant victims of discriminations. “The 2020 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Sentinel Survey (IBBSS) shows HIV prevalence among KPs as follows: female sex workers – 15.5 per cent; men who have sex with men (MSM) – 25 per cent, PWID – 10.9 per cent, and transgender – 28.8 per cent. It has become evident that the key populations are frequent victims of discrimination and abuse, according to the 2020 World AIDS report.

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“In recognition of the very high burden of HIV and other STIs among the various key affected population typologies, the Nigerian government provides HIV and STI prevention, care and treatment services for the KPs using numerous implementation models and packages of intervention to address the dynamics of HIV and STI transmission. These guidelines are intended to redefine the existing approaches and serve as reference for the delivery of all facility-based and community-based HIV and STI prevention, care and treatment services in the country.”

Eddie Bloom, the Director of Administration and Operation, HJFMRI, pledged continuous support to the government’s drive to reduce the prevalence of HIV in the country. In developing the document, a national technical working team led by NACA made up of subject matter experts and stakeholders was established.

The team was chaired by NACA and comprised representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health/HIV AIDS division, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), national ministry of justice, Human Rights Commission, academia, programme-implementers, and key population networks and organisations.

This team jointly implemented state and site level learning activities, reviewed, and validated the final content of the national guidelines. Ultimately, this document will be an important tool in the delivery of health services, support efforts towards strengthening HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment programmes; and address cross-cutting issues such as stigma, violence, and mental health as critical enablers of service delivery.