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Tag: AIDS

  • AHF, CSOs call for local resource financing for HIV, TB

    AHF, CSOs call for local resource financing for HIV, TB

    AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and other relevant Civil Society Organisations (CSO), called for local financing for HIV and TB.

    This is as the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS In Nigeria, (NEPWHAN), harped on the need for domestication of the anti-stigma, discrimination law.

    They made this known during the 

    CSO Financing Dialogue and call for Domestication of the HIV anti-stigma and discrimination law.

    It would be recalled that the Abuja Declaration of 2001 was a commitment by African Union member states to increase their annual health budgets to at least 15% of their national budget to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The declaration, adopted in Abuja, Nigeria, also urged developed countries to meet their target of providing 0.7% of their Gross National Product (GNP) as official development assistance (ODA) to developing nations. 

    While African countries pledged this increase, progress toward the 15% target has been slow, with only a few countries consistently meeting it. 

    With the recent pullback by global donors, the participants said the parliament needs to revisit how the Abuja declaration might come into effect. 

    Speaking at the event, Abdul Kadir Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of NEPWHAN, said 

    It is pertinent for stakeholders to see how the nation can mobilise local resources for AIDS, TB and Malaria and for states across the country to revisit the HIV anti stigma and discrimination to be domesticated by state House of Assemblies. 

    He said “the US government policy shift, has really given us the kind of strong signal that we need to look inward and also see how we could identify internal resources to accommodate and finance our health progress, most especially HIV that has to do with our community members. 

    “Currently, about 80 to 85 percent of HIV funding is being supported through foreign aid,  most especially with a large chunk from the US government and also about 35 percent from the Global Fund and other funding sources. In all these, there is only less than 15 percent from the government of Nigeria. “

    To ensure progress, he said there is need to capture people in the National Health Insurance Scheme and also ensure sustainability.

    “It is also expedient to know that someone is paying for the free drugs that comes to us. And these are tax payers’ money from those countries.

    “So, we need to really look inward and provide solutions for these challenges.

    “HIV is still much more with us and there are still gaps to fill in, so as to give us a headway to ending it by the year 2030.

    On his part, Amobi Godwin Ogah, Chairman House Committee on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, leprosy and malaria, said this stakeholders dialogue will advance conversations that will lead to actionable strategies and solutions towards the mobilization of domestic financing for HIV and TB response in Nigeria and for the domestication of the HIV anti stigma law in the country.

    “Nigeria needs an estimated 8 billion US dollars annually to sustain the response against HIV/AIDS. But in the face of recent changes in the global funding landscape, occasioned by the suspension of funding for Africa health systems by the US government, further gaps in funding will impact negatively on the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS and TB.

    “It is my opinion that the suspension of funding of Africa’s health systems by the US government is a blessing in disguise because I believe that the Nigerian government must take the lead in funding for the response to public health threats such as HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria and not rely solely on foreign interventions. 

    “Since the withdrawal of funding, Nigerians both in public and private space have begun conversations on how to rejig our financing architecture. 

    “So far, many brilliant and innovative solutions on how to mobilize domestic funding for the response against HIV and TB in Nigeria has been rolled out. But there is a need to streamline some of these solutions and if need be, provide a legislative framework for their implementation.”

    On his part, Dr. Muphy Akpu from UN AID, said challenges of HIV affects every part of human lives.

    He said the government need to take deliberate actions to address these challenges beclouding the country.

    He also harped on local production of drugs to solve the HIV challenges in the country.

    Also speaking the event, AHF Country Programe Director Ejezie, said the engagements is necessary for participants to recommend actionable points in addressing these challenges beclouding current challenges.

    He said AHF will continue to provide support for partners to contribute effectively in addressing HIV challenges.

  • World AIDS Day: Know your status, avoid risky behaviour, says AHF 

    World AIDS Day: Know your status, avoid risky behaviour, says AHF 

    A Non-Governmental Organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has urged the people including adolescents to ensure they know their HIV status and avoid risky behaviours.

    Country Programme Director of AHF, Nigeria, Dr Eche Ijezie made the call on Monday during the commemoration of the 2024 World AIDS Day held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

    Ijezie who harped on abstinence to sex among adolescents including the youths noted that where such was not possible, unprotected sexual acts or having multiple sexual partners should be avoided. 

    According to him, “we must ensure that we avoid risky sexual behaviours such as having multiple sexual partners, having unprotected sex and host of others. Everyone must know his or her status, the tests are for free, condoms are for free and available. So, we are encouraging everyone to test and know their status.

    “Avoiding risky behaviours is crucial for adolescents and youths. We are also harping on comprehensive sexuality education targeted at adolescents and young, persons with the aim being to avoid Sexually Transmitted Infections, (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy”

    He said a lot of gains have been made over the years in fighting HIV/AIDS, adding that stronger commitments are needed to tackle the prevalence of the virus headlong.

    His words, “Over the years, across the world and even in sub–Saharan Africa the statistics have fallen due to the concerted efforts by all partners and governments at all levels. “Where we are now is not where we were before, a lot have improved, many have been placed on life saving medications and treatments. “However, we are saying that the fight is not over, it is not time to rest on our oars, it is time for people to remember that we must fight this fight to the finish. 

    Mrs. Elizabeth Udoh, Akwa Ibom state Coordinator for the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS thanked AHF for the initiative and commended the organisation for carrying their partners along in the commemoration. 

    In her words, ‘’I say kudos to AHF for organising this commemoration in Akwa Ibom state and for involving the youths and other partners. We are happy and we say thank you AHF.’’ 

    Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Drug Free and Preventive Healthcare, Mrs Grace Umosen, said ‘‘the event was a great success, we are happy to collaborate with AHF for this event, and we commend the instructiveness of the program, especially the free HIV tests on offer and free condoms that were distributed to the people.’’

  • AHF Nigeria marks world AIDS day

    AHF Nigeria marks world AIDS day

    In recognition of World AIDS Day 2024 on Dec. 1, AHF Nigeria will host a commemorative event at the Water Fountain, by Nwaniba street roundabout, in the city center of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, on December 2, 2024, by 9:AM prompt. 

    Comprehensive Sexuality Education(CSE) shall be the thrust of the gathering, as we also provide free AHF branded condoms with detailed condom education to the people. 

    The commemoration is to signify that “It’s Not Over” in the fight against HIV/AIDS, while raising the needed awareness, promote prevention, testing, and treatment, and rally support to all those affected by HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and globally.

    Despite decades of progress, around 40 million people globally are living with HIV, more than half of whom are women and girls, with approximately 1.3 million new infections reported each year, according to UNAIDS. 

    Stigma and discrimination continue to keep individuals from seeking essential care, and many key populations face substantial barriers to accessing treatment. This World AIDS Day event will spotlight these challenges, emphasizing the need to keep HIV/AIDS a priority on national and global public health agendas.

    AHF Nigeria’s World AIDS Day event will include a strong radio programming across the seven states of (Abuja, Anambra, Benue, Cross river, Kogi, Nasarawa) and Akwa Ibom, which also hosts the main public ceremony – as youth groups will be displaying their fabulous dancing and singing skills in the presence of key Civil Society actors and government officials. 

    ‘’In Nigeria, AHF is particularly reinforcing the need to embrace Comprehensive age-appropriate Sexuality Education (CSE), to empower adolescents and young people with skills and knowledge to negotiate safer sexual behaviors, with the population being the most at risk to STIs including HIV/AIDS, said Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria, Country Program Director (CPD).

    “On this World AIDS Day, we emphasize the urgent need to enhance HIV prevention efforts, particularly for young women and adolescent girls who are at significant risk, with around 4,000 new HIV infections recorded globally each week,” stated Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief.

    “With the introduction of innovative prevention tools—like the Dapivirine vaginal ring to Lenacapvir, PrEP, and PEP—our ability to halt new transmissions has never been greater. Nonetheless, we must also prioritize condoms, which are both effective and affordable yet still under-promoted. Furthermore, increased funding for HIV/AIDS, community-led initiatives, and favorable policies to fight stigma and discrimination remain crucial for expanding access to prevention and treatment, especially for at-risk groups and in the global effort to control AIDS.”

    World AIDS Day serves as a vital platform for HIV/AIDS advocates to acknowledge the progress made, remember those we have lost to AIDS-related illnesses and those who carry on the fight, and call on governments worldwide to commit the necessary resources and political support to end HIV/AIDS. On this World AIDS Day, we’re reminded: It’s Not Over.

  • Women living with HIV, AIDS demand investment in women as human right

    Women living with HIV, AIDS demand investment in women as human right

    As Nigeria intensifies efforts to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030 and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Association of Women Living With HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN) has called on both the Federal and sub-national governments, along with critical stakeholders, to prioritize investment in women’s rights as a human right.

    This is as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) also voiced its backing for the group’s efforts to empower and safeguard Nigerian women, particularly those living with HIV/AIDS.

    The Abuja chapter of the group emphasized the imperative to empower women with rights, citing gender equality as one of the significant human rights challenges faced by women living with HIV daily.

    During the commemoration of International Women’s Day in Abuja on Wednesday, ASWHAN-Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator, Rejoice Abah, highlighted key areas where heightened investment and attention could profoundly impact the lives of women and girls if properly addressed.

    In addition to other requests, it was emphasized that achieving the 2030 target also hinges on the political will of States that have not yet implemented anti-stigma laws, urging them to prioritize enforcement to safeguard the rights of women living with HIV and provide them with a supportive environment.

    The women also advocated for inclusivity that rather than being discriminated against, the government should offer them employment and include them in all social welfare and empowerment programmes.

    Abah said: “We Call on Religious Leaderships: To preach none non-discriminatory messages in places of worship, to allow women living with HIV to marry the spouses of their choice.

    “Rather, encourage partners to know their status before marriage.

    “We Call on the Federal and State Governments to include women living with HIV in social investment funds, Conditional cash transfers, include our members in palliative distribution and create employment opportunities for our women who have been working at the health facilities as volunteer Mentor Mothers for over 15 years.

    “Ministries of Health please employ our women.

    “We call on donor partners to support and help mobilize funds for ASWHAN to build the capacity of our members especially, the capacity of our support groups at the grassroots to enable them engage meaningfully with their communities and to advocate for their rights.

    “We call on Small and Medium Enterprise Organizations to include ASWHAN members in their skills acquisition and economic empowerment programmes, to train our women on different business skills, support them with small grants to boost their businesses and support us to form cooperatives.

    “We want our women to be economically empowered to be able to take care of their children and other dependents.

    “Federal and State Ministries of Health should engage ASWHAN in PMTCT program implementation and service delivery thereby
    positioning ASWHAN as the lead CSO for PMTCT in Nigeria to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

    “We urge all our partners to recognize our role in this fight. We ask GLOBAL FUND, the PMTCT Implementing Partners to include ASWHAN in the GC7 PMTCT implementation.

    “Finally, ASWHAN calls on all women and girls living with HIV/AIDS across the country to join the network”.

    In his remarks, UNAIDS Country Director, Leo Zekeng, noted that ASWHAN’s call to action aligns with the agency’s principles, emphasizing the importance of economic empowerment for women through initiatives such as education and protection against gender-based violence.

    Zekeng highlighted the significance of economic empowerment for women, especially considering the latest global weekly infection rate of 4,200, with two-thirds of that number occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Noting that adolescents and young women need to be protected, Zekeng said, “Economic empowerment, you will agree with me is somehow linked to your health and well-being. So if you’re not healthy, if you’re not in a good state of mind, you wouldn’t even go out there or sit around that table.

    “So from UNAIDS, it is about if you want to protect women’s health, it’s about protecting their rights. So it’s all about their rights, even economic empowerment is part of their economic and social rights.

    He said governments must not shirk their responsibility to young women by keeping them in school for quality education, because “It has at least 50% protective effects of acquiring HIV.

    “Just keeping those girls in school in such a way that they can complete quality secondary education and when quality sexuality education is added, it will really equip them going out into the world”.

    While encouraging the group to prepare for life after the withdrawal of donor agency funding for eradication efforts, Zekeng emphasized UNAIDS’ commitment to providing ongoing support to help achieve their objectives.

  • Fight against HIV/AIDS not over, says AHF Nigeria

    Fight against HIV/AIDS not over, says AHF Nigeria

    In commemoration of this year’s World AIDS Day, a non-profit organisation providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, has reminded the world that the fight against HIV/AIDS is not over.

    According to the foundation, a commemorative walk will take off from the Berger roundabout under the bridge to terminate at the AHF Nigeria Country office at Jabi, Abuja.

    The walk is planned to commence by 8:30 AM, December 1, 2023.

    Dignitaries including Hon. Godwin-Amobi Ogah, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, TB, and Malaria will flag off the walk with other Committee members, while partner CSOs, CBOs, and youth groups will also be on hand for the walk.

    With the commemoration, advocates will honour all who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, support those who carry on the fight, and unite people globally in battling HIV/AIDS and reinforce the need to prioritize community effort and action from now on, as reflected in the global theme: ‘Let Community Lead’.

    While the world has made significant progress over past decades, the global HIV/AIDS response faces serious threats, including insufficient funding, dangerously high rates of 1.3 million new HIV transmissions annually, an estimated 630,000 deaths each year, and responses not being prioritized highly enough, particularly in lower-income countries.

    Read Also: HIV/AIDS care: U.S. contribution to Nigeria hits $7.8b

    AHF Nigeria’s World AIDS Day event includes community testing campaigns across AHF’s seven (7) program states of Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Cross River.

    Of note is the special testing campaign in the FCT that AHF is implementing in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). Across these locations, AHF Nigeria shall also be distributing free condoms with about 75, 000 free condoms slated for distribution.

    “AHF Nigeria is actively and happily playing a supporting role to support the effort of the Nigerian government through NACA and the Federal Ministry of Health to end AIDS by 2030.

    “This can be seen in our deliberate interventions across our state where we are prioritizing projects that advance gender equality and that build the leadership potentials at the grassroots level so that in the real sense, we are empowering communities to lead,” said Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director (CPD)

    “In three of AHF Nigeria states, Community Advocacy Clubs have been instituted and by the end of the first quarter of 2024, these clubs will be functioning across all our states. Importantly, we are investing heavily in community education through radio to empower rural dwellers on the knowledge and information needed to prevent new infection and guarantee their welfare”

    Observed annually on December 1, World AIDS Day gives HIV/AIDS advocates an opportunity to bring awareness to the global response, fight the harmful stigma and discrimination that hinder people living with HIV from seeking testing and treatment services.

  • End of AIDS in sight, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that the end of the spread of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is in sight in Nigeria.

    He made the remark during the announcement of the result of the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He urged the various agencies and partners to work together collectively towards pushing out the last aspect of the disease in Nigeria.

    He said “Today is a critical turning point in Nigeria for a HIV epidemic that has killed many of our countrymen and women. The end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is truly in sight for our country. Let us therefore work collectively and “push for the last mile.”

    READ ALSO: Osinbajo: we’re closer to ending AIDS epidemic

    Over the last two decades, he said, that the Federal Government and development partners have continued to expend significant resources in the fight against HIV with less than commensurate impact on the disease burden.

    He noted that the availability of accurate and reliable HIV data for the country is crucial for planning effective health interventions to arrest the HIV epidemic and ultimately rid the country of the health threat.

    He said “Recently, the national HIV programme and our development partners have faced challenges in measuring progress against targets and efficiently utilizing scarce resources due to gaps in our HIV data.

    “Since my assumption of office, this Administration has paid particular and deliberate attention to careful planning as a way of implementing effective policies and achieving sustained change.

    “The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey is therefore in line with our government’s determination of ensuring sustainable solutions to our development challenges. The survey and its results have come at the right time as we commence the full implementation of the National Health Act that will ensure that every Nigerian has access to comprehensive health services.

    “The Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey was designed to provide the data we need to plan adequately and consolidate on the progress towards the elimination of HIV in Nigeria. We are already a step ahead in this regard, as the Federal government has ensured that the HIV treatment programme in Taraba and Abia is properly funded this year and accommodation made to resource future expansions in the coming years.

    “I am pleased to report that this survey has provided Government with the crucial information needed to enable the national HIV response to move forward and plan for a more sustainable and accountable programme based on credible scientific data.

     “I am aware that our development partners have committed enormous resources in supporting Nigeria to conduct this survey. I particularly wish to thank the United States Government, the Global Fund, the United Nations agencies and technical partners for their significant contributions towards this survey.

    “The Federal Government was committed to the successful conduct of the Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey. The survey was completed in record time to the agreed timetable and budget. I wish to note also the commitment of the people living with HIV, State actors and governments, traditional institutions, religious bodies, civil societies, public and private institutions, the media, and indeed all Nigerians in the support provided toward the successful outcome of this survey.

    “I particularly applaud the dedication and resolve of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, (NACA) and the Federal Ministry of Health in seeing this initiative through to its logical conclusion.

    “The official HIV prevalence for persons aged 15-49 years in Nigeria is now 1.4 per cent. An estimated 1.9 million Nigerians are now living with HIV with about one million persons on treatment.

    “I am delighted that these more accurate figures indicate that fewer Nigerians are affected by HIV. However, we cannot celebrate yet, as almost a million Nigerians living with HIV are currently not on treatment. Now that we have data that will help us target for impact, I urge all of us not to relent in this fight, but to increase the momentum in a concerted effort to end the epidemic ahead of 2030.

    “As we mark this important day in the nation’s HIV response, I will like to reiterate the commitment I made at the UN General Assembly in 2017 to progressively add 50,000 Nigerians on treatment every year using government resources.

    “I also welcome the move by the Nigerian private sector to establish a National HIV Trust Fund in the coming months to support our goal of ensuring that all Nigerians have access to high quality HIV treatment and prevention services,” he said.

    If Nigeria is to achieve epidemic control and end AIDS in Nigeria, he said, the nation needs a more coordinated and funded national response.

    “I am directing NACA and the Federal Ministry of Health to undertake detailed consultations and consensus building with key sectoral Ministries, the legislature, governors of high prevalence states, our development partners and civil society to chart a new strategic path, building on the results of this survey. To guide this process, we are issuing today a “Revised National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework” document,” he stated.

  • UN warns world AIDS still at crossroads

    The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the HIV response stood at a crossroads, 30 years after the first World AIDS Day.

    Guterres, in his message for the 2018 World AIDS Day, yesterday said “more than 77 million people have become infected with HIV, and more than 35 million have died of an AIDS-related illness.”

    According to him, the direction taken now, may determine whether the epidemic can be ended by 2030, or if future generations will have to continue the battle, he said.

    Noting that huge progress has been made in diagnosis and treatment, and prevention efforts have avoided millions of new infections, he stressed that “the pace of progress is not matching global ambition.

    “New HIV infections are not falling rapidly enough,” he said, adding that some regions are lagging, and financial resources are insufficient.

    He said stigma and discrimination continued to hold people back, especially key populations – including men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgenders, intravenous drug users, prisoners and migrants – and young women and adolescent girls.

    He added that one-in-four people living with HIV did not know that they had the virus, keeping them from making informed decisions on prevention, treatment and other services.

    The UN chief said “there is still time” to scale-up testing for HIV; to enable more people to access treatment; to increase resources needed to prevent new infections; and to end the stigma.

     

     

  • UNICEF alerts of more deaths from AIDS by 2030

    By 2030, around 80 adolescents will be dying of AIDS every day if “we don’t accelerate progress in preventing transmission,” the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.

    UNICEF, in a report: ‘Children, HIV and AIDS: The World in 2030’, said current trends indicated AIDS-related deaths and new infections were slowing, but the downward trajectory was not happening fast enough.
    ‘

    “The report makes it clear, without the shadow of a doubt, that the world is off track when it comes to ending AIDS among children and adolescents by 2030,” said UNICEF Chief Henrietta Fore.

    The end of AIDS is an ambitious goal envisioned by the UN agency coalition established to tackle the epidemic, known as the UNAIDS, Fast-Track strategy.

    More than half of those children known to be dying of AIDS would not reach the age of five, the report revealed.

    Fore said prevention and infection treatment efforts were still missing the mark, “specifically when it comes to HIV transmission from mothers to babies”.

    “Programmes to treat the virus and prevent it from spreading among older children are nowhere near where they should be,” she added.

    The number of mother-to-child infections had fallen by around 40 per cent in the last eight years, but girls still account for two-thirds of all adolescent HIV infections, and rates of infection among older children are the slowest to decline, according to current data.

    Furthermore, the report cites a global target reduction in the number of HIV-infected children by 2030 to 1.4 million, while the projected number today of 1.9 million, shows that the world is off-track by around 500,000.

    Currently, three million persons 19 years and younger, are infected with HIV worldwide.

    Two million new infections could be averted by 2030, if global targets are met – this means providing adequate access to HIV prevention, care and treatment services, and testing and diagnoses.

    The major shortfalls show slow progress in prevention among the young and a failure to address the key drivers of the epidemic.

    Many infected children and adolescents are unaware of their illness, and even when tested HIV-positive, rarely adhere to proper treatment.

    The UNICEF vision for an AIDS-free generation entails upscaling family-centered testing to help identify children living with HIV who have not been diagnosed, and greater use of digital platforms to improve education when it comes to HIV and AIDS contraction and prevention.

    “We can’t win the fight against HIV if we don’t accelerate progress in preventing transmission to the next generation,” Fore said. (NAN)

  • Lagos Govt. empowers HIV patients with trade skills

    The Lagos State Government says it is training 98 women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on various trade skills.

    Mr Peter Obialor, Coordinator of people living with HIV/AIDS, Community Department in Alimosho General Hospital, Igando Lagos, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

    Obialor said the empowerment is being conducted by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) with the aim of reducing poverty in the state.

    “This training is organised for people living with HIV to empower them and make them feel among and not to be rejected and discriminated upon.

    “This training at least will help them build their self esteem instead of losing it; and they can equally be free to showcase themselves as people who can do a particular thing.

    “The people are being trained on how to make tie and dye, bead making, makeup, gele tying, cosmetology, hairdressing, event management and catering services.

    “ We give them starter packs which comprises of what their chosen venture required,’’ Obialor said.

    According to him, the participants are from various general hospitals in the state.

    He assured people living with the virus to believe that they had a future and urged them not to think that having “HIV is a death sentence”.

    He said: “HIV is not a sickness, it does not kill; malaria kills faster than HIV.

    “But HIV can live in the body for about three years without one knowing; it is the panic that kills.’’

    Read Also: 360,000 adolescents expected to die of AIDS by 2030 -UNICEF

    He commended the state government for its initiative on this disease, noting that “this is the second time the people of Alimosho local government is benefiting from the state government goodwill”.

    Miss Happiness Chidinma, one of the trainees on Cosmetology, told reporters that she was blessed to be part of the beneficiaries.

    “I feel great and blessed about the training I am currently receiving, I will use the skill to establish a big firm to enable me cater for my children,’’ she said.

    Miss Owolabi Olabisi, an apprentice on Makeup and Gele, expressed joy that she finally learnt the skill she had always had passion for.

    “I am very happy about the scheme because makeup and Gele tying have always been what I have been trying to learn on my own.

    Mrs Amarachi Okafor, a trainee on Catering, also thanked the state government for empowering people living with HIV and “I am determined to set up my business after graduation”.

    Similarly, Mrs Rosemary Chukwuma, the event and decoration instructor, urged the women to be creative to enhance their economic development.

    NAN reports that the training will last for one month.

  • 360,000 adolescents expected to die of AIDS by 2030 -UNICEF

    Some 360,000 adolescents are expected to die of AIDS by 2030 if investment in HIV prevention is not ramped up, according to a UNICEF report released on Thursday.

    The figures show the world is “off track’’ in its goal to end AIDS among children by 2030, UNICEF’s executive director, Henrietta Fore, said.

    Projections show there will be a decline in the number of children and young people infected with HIV and dying from AIDS-related causes.

    But the UN children’s fund warned progress is notably slower among adolescents – defined by the UN as those between ages 10 and 19.

    For example, AIDS-related deaths are projected to decrease by 57 per cent among children below the age of 14 by 2030, compared with 35 per cent among those aged 15 to 19 years.

    Read Also: Boko Haram Insurgency: President Buhari heads to Chad

    “Programmes to prevent HIV transmission from mothers to babies are paying off but haven’t gone far enough.

    “Programmes to treat the virus and prevent it from spreading among older children are nowhere near where they should be,’’ Fore said.

    The report blames slow progress in preventing HIV among young children, along with a failure to address structural and behavioural drivers of the epidemic.

    For example, many young people do not know they have HIV, and those who do often fail to stick to their treatment plans.

    UNICEF is pushing for more family-centred testing and diagnostic technologies, as well as targeted outreach programmes and a greater use of digital platforms to improve knowledge of HIV among adolescents.