Tag: HIV

  • NOA, NACA partner to strengthen HIV prevention

    NOA, NACA partner to strengthen HIV prevention

    In a significant stride towards combating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) have solidified their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

    The partnership aims to bolster HIV prevention efforts, reduce mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and eliminate stigma against individuals living with HIV across the country.

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    NOA, renowned for its extensive grassroots communication network spanning 774 local governments, joins forces with NACA’s specialised expertise in HIV response. Together, they plan to launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns utilising diverse channels such as radio, television social media, town halls and community engagements. These initiatives are designed to ensure the inclusive and widespread dissemination of crucial information.

    Key components of the collaboration include the training of state directors and health desk officers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

  • NHIA, NACA partner to boost health insurance coverage for people living with HIV

    NHIA, NACA partner to boost health insurance coverage for people living with HIV

    The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) have joined forces to improve healthcare access for vulnerable groups, especially People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

    The partnership was announced by NHIA Director General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday.

    He emphasised that the goal is to provide financial protection and better healthcare services for people living with HIV.

    “This collaboration is a major step toward ensuring financial security for vulnerable groups, improving their quality of life, and making sure they can access the healthcare they need,” Ohiri stated.

    “By strengthening health insurance, we are making progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”

    Similarly, NACA Director General, Dr Temitope Ilori, led her team to a meeting with NHIA to discuss sustainable healthcare solutions.

    She emphasised the need to expand health insurance coverage to over 19 million Nigerians, increase support for vulnerable groups, including People Living with HIV, integrate HIV and tuberculosis treatment into NHIA’s health insurance benefits, and boost domestic funding to sustain healthcare programs for long-term impact.

    Dr. Ilori noted that these efforts would improve access to essential healthcare services and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    “Collaboration is key to a healthier future!” NACA posted on its official X account.

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    Nigeria currently has an HIV prevalence rate of 1.4% among people aged 15-64, with an estimated 2 million Nigerians living with the virus. Of these, about 1.6 million are on treatment.

    A 2023 UNAIDS report revealed that approximately 160,000 children under 14 are living with HIV, with 22,000 new infections and 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurring each year.

    Despite efforts to curb the spread, Nigeria’s prevention of mother-to-child transmission remains below 33%, far from the 95% target.

    With this new collaboration, NHIA and NACA aim to close the gap in access to treatment and ensure better health outcomes for people living with HIV in Nigeria.

  • HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (2)

    HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (2)

    The Tree Man gave me a health shocker when I saw his photograph for the first time on the internet about 20 years ago. I was researching  Human Papillo Virus and I thought I was seeing a small tree or, at best, a thicket which had grown and formed itself in human shape. Alas, The Tree Man was, really, a man, whose skin had abnormally grown semblances  of small plants on his body. What could have gone wrong with his body? The first time I published his photograph in this column, its caused butterflies to fly in the stomachs of many readers, especially those who had small warts growing in different parts of their bodies.Who would know he or she has warts on the body and that the troubles of the The Tree Man came from warts who would not be afraid that he or she, too, could be become a tree man or a tree woman, and not take exception to the publication? This is one of the reasons I appreciate public health campaign of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to make Nigerians girls and women vaccinate against infection of Human Papillo Virus( HPV). This virus is a root cause of the problem of tree man, and has been shown to cause cancers and other unforgettable and disabling health troubles in the cervix and Vagina.Nevertheless, I stand with those persons who have reservations about vaccinations for all sorts of  reasons, especially the fear that only the future can tell what abnormalist will come with each vaccination.  As a child, my parents submited me  to the authorities for polio and small pox vaccinations.May be that is why I am polio and small pox free till today.That has not left me off guard.Haven’t we been hearing for decades that vaccination against small pox may be a root cause of the cancer pandemic world wide today? This is why this column will offer  some  plant medicines suggestions for fighting human Papillo Virus. Before then, I will like to introduce to you the tree man…

    Dede  Koswara, The Tree Man

    The following report comes from the internet…

    “The  Tree Man was Dede Koswara, an Indonesian man who suffered from a rare genetic disorder called Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (EV). This condition made him extremely susceptible to human papillomavirus (HPV), which caused uncontrollable growth of warts resembling tree bark on his skin.

    “Koswara’s warts started growing when he was 10 years old, and by the time he was an adult, they had spread to his face, arms, and legs, making everyday activities extremely challenging. His condition earned him the nickname “Tree Man” due to the tree-like appearance of his warts.

    HPV is a common virus that can cause various diseases, including: Warts…Benign growths on the skin or mucous membranes.

    Cervical cancer…A type of cancer that affects the cervix in women. Other anogenital cancers…Cancers that affect the anus, vulva, vagina, or penis.Oropharyngeal cancer…A type of cancer that affects the throat and tonsils.

    Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis (EV)… A rare genetic disorder that makes individuals highly susceptible to HPV and increases their risk of developing skin cancer.

    “Koswara’s story was widely shared, and he underwent several surgeries to remove the warts, but they continued to grow back. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2016 due to complications related to his condition”.

    Wart and HPV

    Valentine’s Day 2025, that is last Friday, provided the health community in Nigeria an opportunity to talk about HPV and the relationship with cancer formation in the private  place of young girls and women. This is because  many persons itching to lay off emotional or other forms of steem from stress easily late themselves hurtle down heel at this time in the hope of regaining some balance. Girls and women become easily more endangered in such a season than men are.  It is often not written on the faces of men that they are HPV positive. A careful woman  may not easily discover that she bears HPV within. Some of them have organs which only special medical examination can detect. Even when they are visible, how many women know what they portend or can recoil at the last moment? Perhaps the ones that may put off a woman may be the open sores which may heal now and then during remissions. Beyond all of these, HPV is transmissible through the skin. Beyond skin transmission, also, all sorts of unwholesome events take place in the act. A long time ago, this column feature a gentleman under the title…The Man Who Puts His Mouth in The Wrong Place. In the days of youthful exuberance, I would have hit the nail on the head or call a spade a spade and not an agricultural implement, as we say. His gums were roughened up, his teeth shaking in their sockets and the mucus lining of his inner cheeks bombarded with mucus-filled tiny growths, the type Yorubas call Owo Eyo (cowry money)  because they have the circular shape of coins . A lucky man he was. He recovered in months, on  Propolis Syrup, sprayed into the mouth and swirled around with his blisters, and patched tongue.He was a victim of oral sex. Some women, too, fall victim to men who, through oral sex, may introduce HPV or other pathogens into their bodies through their mouths.Women may suspect a man if he is unusually  fatigued, itches even anally and discharges or experiences painful urination.Some of the signs a girl or woman may watch out for are…genital warts, Small, flat, or raised growths on the penis, scrotum, anus, or groin area, anal warts, small, flat, or raised growths around the anus, penile lesions, abnormal growths or sores on the penis, Anal itching or bleeding, Itching, bleeding, or discharge from the anus. The age brackets WHO is targeting especially for HPV vaccination is the 11-18 years generation.This generation of girls is likely to still be in secondary, sexually active, careless about sexual safety and unable “to do something when they see something”. This is one of the main reasons, as I said earlier, why HPV vaccination is fascinating.

    Options to Vaccination

    In nature, there is nothing which exists, however powerful, which has no antidote. That is why snakes flee from bitter kola and an army of African black ants, rocket and stubborn as its may be, will disperse when its encounters wood ash on the way. A few decades ago, a doctor in Europe produced a machine that could easily become a master piece invention of our time. It was founded on the principles of healing diseases with natural vibration or natural radiations. If you know the vibration or radiation status of any germ, and you can set the machine to produce a counter vibration or radiation, and you  can hold a terminal of the machine to pass the vibration or radiation through your body to the pathogen, you will block  the pathogen from existence and destroy it just as one radio station frequency can jam another radio frequency out of operation. The medical establishment rejected this machine and branded its author a crank, to protect pharmaceutical medicine and established medical practice  from possible effacement. In Lagos, I tried to produce this machine from the simple electrical design she got out free in that book. But I could not find an electrical engineer who was interested in such a project.

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    This leaves us with the life forces or radiation in plant medicine  which may have been designed as a stepping stone to this age of technology when mankind, working with mother nature and utilising her principles, would elevate proceedings on earth to higher levels. Medical science tells us pharmaceutical medicine  cannot successfully address viruses. That is why virus challenged persons may  live with them for life. They have been challenges to this world view. First, can we not minimise bacterial and fungal load to zero tolerance with such proprietory formula as Amazon A-F, to minimise work load of the immune system and then fortify it with Amazon  A-V designed against viruses with about 10 medicinal  extracts from well known antiviral plants? I witnessed the recovering  from occult blood and ulcerative colitis by a Septuagenarian who used Pau D’arco to save himself from surgery. I have heard of how prosta care helped many persons on catheter recover from their prostrate gland trouble. We may observe from www.medicinenet.com how the fellowing herbs fight Inflamation, viruses and even slow the growth of cancers… oregano, lemon balm, tumeric, licorice, Astragalus, garlic, holy basil, black elderberry, Echinaea, zinc, Rishi mushroom, myrrh e.t.c. What may be the biggest evidence may be the story of Dr Samuel Johnson. I reported recently that this Nigerian  practised medicine for 47 years in the United States before he was struck by prostate cancer, and of how the ravages of stage 4 prostate cancer made his doctors give him only three months to lived, where upon he returned to Nigeria to die, but was given a protocol of herbs which quelled the cancer and he  has lived on for almost one year. This week, I sought audience with him again. He is willing to share his story. He offered free consultation on the remedies he used. Currently, he is busy on a huge medical project in which he is supported by the United nations Development Project (UNDP) and the African Development Bank (ADB). His survival story promises to be a very interesting one for all men challenged with prostate cancer.

    Girls, Women and Mother Nature

    In the first part of this series, I mentioned the admonition in a spiritual work which inspired my interest in natural medicine. Its says: Neither Drug Nor Injections But The Right Kinds of Foods And Drinks Alone Bring Lasting Health. I was inpired also by the admonition that no tumour or cancer can grow in the human body with a healthy liver.  I have also learned from this work that our environment is not a decoration but filled with messages for the wise to learn from. Why do green plants fill everywhere? In my  thirties, older men and women who were custodians of this Creation Knowledge told me the blood of man was made from the blood of plants. It was in my 60s, about 30 years later, that four scientists who won the Noble Prize in medicine unlocked the secret for me. Their work said the green Chlorophyl pigment of plant and the Haemoglobin, the red pigment in the red blood cells of humans, are  of the same structure…Carbon, Hyrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen. The only difference is that Magnesium holds this structure together in chlorophyl while Iron holds it together in Haemoglobin. Thus, when we eat green plants or drink their juices, the body uses them to recharge and to cleanse our blood after replacing the Magnesium with Iron.This knowledge led me to write an article in the 1990s titled…. Let’s drink green, the earth is not green for the fun of it. Soon after, the first chlorophyl drinks and powder products appeared on the shelves of Nigerian health food stores.

    The greens and their Chlorophyl have Oxygen content in them.Germs cannot survive in oxygenated environment.How many girls and women consume chlorophyl drinks? The liver easily detoxifies itself when bigger principles are consumed in foods. Many girls and  women hate to eat bitter things. However, some of them change when I tell them of a Yoruba  saying of the elders… Ota Enu Ni ore Inu (The mouth’s enemy is the friends of the organs!).Thus, rather than waste the next Aloe Vera leaf gel on hair treament, juice and drink it on  a meal or empty  stomach. Its miracles will impact the hair from within! Eat orange peel, plantain peel, banana peel e.t.c. Dr. Max Gerson theorised that cancer and other tumours develop only when  there is not enough potassium  in the cell or when  there is too much  sodium in the cell. The cell will therefore have a weak Sodium- Potasium Pump, lose oxygen intake and become fermentative.These and other factors may be why the breast and the cervix have become prone to cancer in our generation. I tend to believe Dr Max Gerson because many Nigerian women today cannot do without Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in their  cooking as a taste enchancer. You may say  that  MSG occurs naturally in foods. Yes, that is  organic MSG formulated under different conditions of radiations than the factory-made in organic MSG.  In nature, the radiations which form MSG and other nutrients do not attack or destroy themselves as they happen in factory formulations.

    This is not where I am going in respect of  HPV, vaccination for girls and women.

    The Germ Theory

    Some persons believe HPV Vaccination is necessary. Others believe it is a ruse to milk poor nations. After all, the U.S gave Africa 500 U.S.D HIV drugs to make the users become dependent on them before the  subvention is withdrawn. No one as yet knows implications of HIV vaccination.All we are hearing is that HPV can cause cancer.That  was how Louis- Pasteur sold the idea that  germs cause diseases and pasteurisation began which killed the life force in fooods, and Dr Edward Jenner, Robert konch  and their  likes began vaccination medicines against small pox, bacteria and other diseases in the late 18th century.

    Isn’t it only now  that we are wondering  why two persons were exposed to GERMS in the same environment and one was infected but the other was not?  President  Donald Trump forced Americans to flee Nigeria during  COVID-19 upsurge, saying  Nigerians would “die like flies” Did we? Did not Americans and Europeans “die like flies”? The answer to Louis Pasteur’s Germ Theory is that it is the immune system which determines whether exposure  to germ will cause disease, not the germ itself. What will work for the immune weakling in this regard is the speed at which the body can produce its Primary anti-oxidants. Glutathione, Super Oxide Dismutase(SOD) and  Catalase. Glutathione, the must important, is produced from three amino acids…Glutamic acid, Cysteine and glycine. SOD comes from Zinc and Manganese.There are other anti-oxidants and phenolic compounds no doubt. I would like, finally, to touch  on two other important factors regarding whether, with or without HIV, cancer can occur in the cervix, at least from natural medicine perspectives. One  is that the cervix like the vagina, is slightly acidic for self protection. Semen, on the other  hand, is alkaline.Besides, it comes with anti- body antibodies to supress for a while the anti body of those areas for the safe passage into the uterus of sperm cells which require an alkaline environment for their survival. When a  woman’s body is accessed too often even by the sperm  of her spouse and sexual partner, there is tendency for the alkalinity of sperm  to neutralise the  acidity of this region and lay it open for the manifestation of germs and viruses which may result in  cancer, especially  when the  livers function is subnormal! The girl and woman of today are irresponsible when its comes to sex.Female animals reject sex when they are not on “heat” for reproduction.Girls and women, forgetting or ignoring that their bodies  descended from the animal, and that they should control it, may accept sex every day.

    Energy Medicine

    Finally,we are too familiar with  orthordox medicine which is Western medicine. Energy Medicine is Eastern or Asian medicine. Over there, it is agreed that the body of man  is not man, who dwells in the body as a  Spirit Energy kernel or the Bibical Breath of Life. This Overself or Spirit has seven “sockets” into which the body inserts plugs, in seven different locations known as The Chakras. Each chakra corresponds with the location of an endocrine gland system. Beginning from the base of the spine upwards, these chakras are in the (1) spine(2)pubis(3)Solar plexus(4) Heart region(5) throat(6)Eyes(7) crown. When the Chakra is burnt out or not supplying energy well, the  region it supplies power, like an electricity transformer that is down and causes black -outs, begins to ail and is prone to weakness, cold or deterioration.The vagina, reproductive system,bladder, prostate gland are in the second chakra region. You  may obtain from the internet why the Chakras fail and how, from therapies within the soul or overself, it may be revived. Externally, the current leading solution is the wearing of Quantum Energy Boxer to supply the body quantum energy from quantum energy minerals wired into the boxers.  Some other persons may well prefer Colour Therapy. Each chakra manifests a peculiar colour. That of the first chakra is red, while that of  Second Chakra is orange.The Virgina and the cervix  may share first and second chakra energies and, therefore, profit from red and orange colours.Other chakra colours are yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

    In earlier columns, I wrote about how one may make and drink solarised water in glass bottles of colours appropriate for Chakra location.We live in a free  world. So, the search for protection against HPV and cancer is a personal one.Nevertheless, we should remember always that the earth is not green for the fun of it.That is the heart of natural medicine.

  • HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (1)

    HIV, HPV red flags fly over 2025 Valentine’s Day (1)

    Where would you be and what would you be doing tomorrow, February 14 , 2025  Valentine’s Day? Painting the town red or just watching the world go by?My boosts long hung and  other Valentine paraphernalia neatly wrapped and stored at the bottom of a trunk box of old vestiges of this day in history, I will be in one corner of my house fellowing the effervescence in spirit with my inner eyes.

    Valentin Day was  intentioned as a day  to show love  but is now  characterised by the hunt for company or companionship.Company hunting is the search for external  content or physical content or physical human body content with which to engage  in physical surrender. The search for  companionship is an exploration for a soul, homogeneous or not, complementary or not,for a joint task, high or low,  through marriage or plantonic friendship for example.

    I still doubt if either comes  near what St. Valentine taught us.Every February 14, reminds me of the Love of God, a split part of which each one of us is as a spark of light or of energy from out of His Radiation. We bear  this knowledge slumbering deep within us, and are meant to awaken  the memory in the course of our  germination like seeds sown in the world of matter, unite with it like flowering photosynthetic plants which, at their level,  seek the energy of sunlight for their flowering and fruiting. This idea reminds me of  Nigeria, an over-blessed nation in my view. Many countries are bombarded by snow for months every year. We are not. Many enjoy shadowy  sunlight for  about  two hours every day for months and then lapse into months of near complete darkness.We have 12  hours of sun-lit day and 12 of night fall sometimes lit by the moon’s reflection of  sunlight. The wind torments some countries, sometimes overturning motor vehicles and breaking  houses. We have  no such  thing. In some areas of the earth, earthquakes are common.We have not been visited by any since I was born 75 years ago. Recently, the air was reported  to  be catching fire in some countries. We have no such  experience.Perhaps we had  fair share of them  in the days of our ancestors  when Atlantis was smitten by a decended moon to take western parts of the American continent away from the western parts of Africa and create  an Atlantic Ocean  in between. Whatever it is, we are blessed with  huge crude oil deposit, large array of minerals resources, a fertile land for agriculture, an intelligent people who, unfortunately, have lapsed into spiritual indolence since the days of the sinking of Atlantis,forgetting  everything about their spiritual  ancestry and chained to their brains and hence their physical bodies and  their material environment!

    So, it will not be surprising that,tomorrow, the town  will be reddened, irrespective of cries of woe here and here that the economy had gone rotten.

    How much  more beautiful would it  have been if, led by the Church, the Mosque and leaders of traditional religions, we all  could take a break from bread and butter hussels and hassels on Valentine Day, to acknowledge the love of God and His Infinite Goodness, and rekindle the fire of our Spirits to live only in reverential devotion to His  Will, Honour and Glory. In this state of  being, we would desist from being a thieving people in public or private life. We would till the land  to feed ourselves and not depend on other nations for  food. We would not flee our  land, alloted to us in the wisdom of God, to be vagabonds or prodigal citizens in other lands. The strong  would not take advantage of the weak. Men would be  manly, protective of women, and women would be womanly, true or faithful guardians of the longing in us for God, and not lead the way down hill to perdition, as they do today, selling their charming bodied on the social dung hill. I sense that, tomorrow, many girls and women would parade the streets almost naked in search of body-hunting men and that true men will hiss on them or tongue lash them if they do not physically assult them.

    HIV and Trump

    As 2025  Valentine Day  approached, United States (U.S) President Donal Trump fired a policy shocker at the  global HIV community of challenged persons and their doctors and care givers. The policy  to withdrew U.S. subsidy on HIV medications was unrelated to 2025 Valentine’s Day, but I saw correlations in them, nevertheless. In 2019,  President Trump made a smaller cut than he as just done, and it was reported to cause one million HIV deaths globally. Genuinely or politically, President Trump had been challenging what many people in his country had been doing with their bodies which he considered wrong or unnatural.Unfortunately, there is little he can do about them. For they are distorted souls. As distorted souls, they are either male spirit kernels or seed germs in female human bodies, or male spirit kernelds in female human bodies or human body which are in various degrees of trans migration, that is inwardly abnormal due to their own decisions, irrespective of what, outwardly,we observe them to be. HIV disease may or may not be a consequence of any of these things, but it is sexually transmittable and U.S. money had  helped  to make  treament drugs cheap  globally and, perhaps, helped to prevent its spread  world-wide. Now with U.S. withdrawal, drugs prices may rise and become unaffordable especially in Nigeria, and the HIV population may enlarge. Nigeria has a population of about 1.5million HIV challenged persons which international data estimate at 10 million persons. Akwa Ibom State tops the table with 5.5 per cent of its population, fellowed by Benue 5.3 per cent, Rivers 3.8 per cent, Taraba 2.9 per cent, Abia 2.1 per cent e.t.c.  Congugal irreverence on a day such as tomorrow or on the aftermath days may rock the boat towards perdition where treaments of HIV disease is of limited to pharmaceutical drugs and injections rather than confronted with the right kinds of foods and drinks which alone bring lasting health. With the U.S. aid cut , the cost of drugs will escalate.Thus, the fear of HIV cannot be divorced or disengaged from tomorrow’s carnivals.

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    HIV, TOOTHLESS BULL-DOG

    Fear of HIV on a Valentine’s Day is not the heart of this column today. I am more concerned about whether HIV has not lost to plant  medicine its original all- conquering terror.  I am on the side of arguments that HIV may never have existed,  that it was the product of  power play between France and the United States to deceive poor nations that a new devastating disease had been discovered, to inform them this disease  was incurable for life, to develop new pharmaceutical drugs that will at best check its excesses, to drain the pocket of poor nations into those of rich nations. Many researchers believed  what was termed HIV was a mere  conglomerate of existing immune and  energy-sapping diseases which, individually or in their various combinations,may or does yield to existing drug medicines.These researchers are called HIV DENIALISTS. Dr F. Batmanghelidj, the Iranian who caused a paradigm shift  in medicine by making medicine accept water  not just as a solute but as medicine in its own right, theorised that the so-called HIV was an autoimmune problem which is reversible.

    Dr. Batmanghelidj, who was celebrated in this column last year under the title… 2024 World Teachers Day:Icons of  Natural Medicine, believed there was no such virus. Dr. Batmanghelidj, an Iranian whose life ambition was to make medicine as simple as possible for lay persons to understand and intelligently discuss, put so-called HIV cells in test tubes and fed them some nutritional substances. He had come to the notion that what we called HIV cells were actually fragmentations of genetic nuclei in the absence of an amino acid named CYSTEINE and ZINC, a fertility and stress mineral which serves about 200 purposes in the human body. This value range from fertility, senses of taste and smell, health of hair, nail and skin, protection of the prostate gland against the damages of Inflamation, enlargement and cancer to those of stability of the  genetic nucleus and, of course, boosting of the immune system.

    Dr. Batmanghelidj found that cysteine and Zinc caused the so- called HIV cell to evolve into normal, stable cells. This left some researchers and doctors in bewilderment.However, it strengthened belief of persons like me in the correctness  of the conception that Neither drug  nor injections but the right kinds of foods  and drinks and medicines bring lasting health. This conception became a natural personal experience for me when I succumbed to some symptoms of COVID-19 but returned to life in about two weeks. I reported my experiences on this page afterwards in the column I titled… CORONAVIRUS:LOOK-ALIKE SYMPTOM JOIN THE LEXICON, posted on FACEBOOK at (John Olufemi Kusa).

    Since Dr. Batmanghelidj work with Cysteine and Zinc, Selenium has joined the league of HIV bursters in the  hands of complementary and natural medicine physicians. It is now well suggested that a defficiency of essential amino acids and Zinc may trigger so-called HIV like symptoms.Essential and non-essential amino acids are important for the intergrity of cells at the molecular level, as are other substances as Vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, phenolic,poly phenolic compounds and, in the last few years, Quantum Energy. “ A Zinc finger” is said to hold the amino acids in place in the cell nucleus like  the “clips” which hold clothes securely from wind or storm on a clothes line. Selenium intake is critical in HIV therapy, going by several studies.More people who eat food from selenium deficient soils are said to be more HIV prone than persons who eat selenium-rich foods. Men are said to be more prone to HIV than our women  because they lose Selenium in ejaculations and may not replenish the losses while women  are  the beneficiaries and, therefore, less prone.The value of Selenium is expressed in the HIV-infected normal cell. Dr Batmanghelidj and his colleagues call the “infective viruses” fragments of genetic nuclei. By fragmentation, they mean the genetic code or the formula for maintaining the body has been broken into pieces and it is this piece that are mistaken for viruses. These HIV infected  cells are   said to reproduce their kind and not normal cells, thereby increasing the viral load. Meanwhile, there could be a disproportionate elevation of the viral load against the immune system army expected to fight the virus. The principal fighters in this army are the T-4 CELLS. The battle line  divisions are, thereby, not equally matched. Selenium changes this battle ground scenario, it is said,  by freezing the HIV cells so that they cannot reproduce. Meanwhile, Zinc encourages thymus gland  to enlarge to normal seize. In many adults, it is said to have shrunken to about one quarter of its normal size under zinc defficiency.Many persons rely on only food sources of zinc when increasing scenarios demand the consumption of alot more.Supplementation of zinc in the diet under HIV therapy causes the thymus gland to enlarge.It is inside this gland that T-4 immune cells are matured or graduate for deployment into battle. Therefore, the larger the thymus gland, the more the number of T-4 cells that should mature in it. When the therapy is running well,  and the HIV cells cannot reproduce, and more T-4 cells are being supplied, the  viral load freezes and the T-4 COUNT  increases. With the growing dimunition of the viral load,isn’t  the so-called HIV scourge conquerable?

    Dr. Roger Moore, who also featured in the aforestated icons of natural medicine, taught us about the new biologyof health.This is about acid and alkaline balances in the body. An  acidic internal hygiene or environment and  blood delimits the immune system and the organs, while  an alkaline system at about 7.34 on a one to 14 pH scale in which valued above seven are alkaline inhibits  microbial existence or growth and improves cellular health. In HIV therapy, therefore,acid-forming foods must be eliminated and alkaline- forming ones encouraged.Red meat, fried foods, poultry chicken and egg, bread(white or wheat) milk are acid forming. Alkaline foods include fruits and their peels, lightly cooked vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices e.t.c. A time table for different juice intake  may be drawn (see THE GERSON therapy on-line). For alkalising,  I like herbs such as Chlorella, Wheatgrass, Alfalfa, and Aloe Vera gel. Other herbs which fight viruses and alkalise the system include…Oregano, sage, fennel, basil, ginger, ginseng, tumeric, curcumin, Rosemary, dandelion e.t.c. Some of them may be eaten raw as salad with food. I eat orange peels and banana peels in my meal. They are more nutritious than their fruits.There are  more things to say about HIV conquering plant medicines than space will permit.Sufffice it to say that, in about 25 years,I have observed many challenged persons bounce back to life from the”death sentences” that their diagnoses once presented  to them. Their systems of opportunistic  diseases  disappeared on dietary coconut oil.They  express no skin rash or give-away cough and bear normal weight.They live normal lives.

    Jobelyn

    I write often about this Nigerian herb formula which gave the first hope, arguably, to HIV challenged persons, following a study of soldiers at the military  hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos. So  impressive were the findings that this hospital presented them  at a global military hospital conference in Bethesda, United States. Some Nigeria universities, too, have done HIV and other clinical trials with this product with exciting results.The University of Tunis, following up on Nigerian studies, reported some “cures”.

    The Cancer Cloud

    There has been so much talk about cancer at this time which makes it worthy again of attention on this page, but from a different light from previous commentaries. This time, there is a massive campaign that girls and women step forward for immunisation against HPV(Human Papillo Virus).The bottom line of the campaign  is that HPV, which may be picked up from conjugation with infected men, may cause cancer of the cervix.

    Cancer may be a difficult nut to crack, indeed. Neverthless, there have been cancer survivours who, transformed by nutrition and herbs from the scourge, have lived healthy lives. Bill Henderson reported many of such cases in his book Cancer Defected. From my experience, some cancer patients who resorted to nutrition and herbalism lived longer than their doctors thought they could. As I write, I remember a woman Aged 51 who suffered from oesophageal  cancer. Her weight collapsed to 38kg. Her abdomen and stomach were perforated for a feeding tube to be fitted in. Aloe lite was a regular feature in her liquefied meal. Her weight grew to 65kg in a few months. But she passed soon after under the ravanges of chemotherapy. A formal Special Assistant  to Governor Babatunde Fashola survived it to the amusement of Mrs Bukola Azeez, CEO of Budget travel. Too many factors that  space does not  permit mentioning here support natural  cancer therapy.One of them is occassional time spent in the HYPER BARIC OXYGEN  CHAMBER.  Cancer does  not  survive in oxygen environment.Infact, Dr.Mark Gerson believed the oxygenation was a cause of cancer.  In the extension of the knowledge of CREATION during THE COSMIC TURNING-POINT in the 1920s, mankind was afforded the opportunity to know that blood diseases would be a feature of the years ahead and that cancer could not develop in any part of the body if THE LIVER was optimally healthy.

    For this organ, this column  often suggests   CARQUEJA, MILKTHISTLE, DANDELION, JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE, CLUB MOSS, PAPAYA LEAVE, ALO VERA, NONI JUICE, MOI MOI LEAVE, GREEN TEA, CURCUMIN, TUMERIC, e.t.c.

    Girls and Women

    As I have already shown above, this part of the column is addressed exclusively to girls and women. They are the ones the international community and their country are asking to step forward for vaccination or immunisation against Human Papillo Virus (HPV) which he said to cause cancer of the cervix and, perhaps, other parts of their genitalia. They pick HPV from infected men during intercourse.Today’s woman is more sexually exposed to sex than were our mother and grandmother. Today’s man is like a butterfly which sucks nectar from any beautiful plant. Some men are so loose that they cannot hold themselves before anything in skirt. I will ever remember the lamentation of a woman that a man’s brain is now on the tip of his organ. In this scenario, every girl and woman, indeed,needs protection against HPV. In the next part of this, series, I will explain some natural forms of protection against HPV. However, this is not to encourage you to let yourself go tomorrow or on any other day, painting the town red. 

  • Five ways Trump’s ban on HIV funding affects Nigeria, other countries

    Five ways Trump’s ban on HIV funding affects Nigeria, other countries

    The United States government has suspended support for HIV treatment in Nigeria and other developing countries following a directive from President Donald Trump.

    The U.S. State Department has paused the disbursement of funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for at least 90 days.

    PEPFAR, a key program providing HIV treatment in Africa and other developing regions, is now on hold.

    The directive instructs all government agencies managing foreign development assistance programs to suspend funding disbursement, effectively freezing nearly all U.S. global health aid.

    The WHO said funding should be maintained for programmes like PEPFAR, which provides HIV treatment and testing to millions of people worldwide.

    Global health authorities are raising the alarm after US President Donald Trump froze funding for anti-HIV programmes that cover treatment for 30 million people worldwide.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) said the temporary pause on all foreign aid puts access to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) diagnostics, medicines, and treatment at risk in low and middle-income countries, which could have dire health consequences.

    Here are five ways this decision impacts Nigeria and other affected countries:

    1. Interruption of HIV Treatment Services: The halt in PEPFAR funding has led to the cessation of HIV medication distribution in numerous clinics. This disruption forces clinics to cancel appointments and suspend HIV testing and prevention efforts, increasing the risk of higher viral loads and transmission rates among affected individuals.

    2. Strain on Healthcare Infrastructure: PEPFAR has been instrumental in strengthening healthcare systems in countries like Nigeria. The funding suspension threatens to undermine these advancements, potentially leading to a decline in healthcare quality and accessibility.

    3. Risk of Increased HIV Transmission: With the suspension of HIV testing and prevention initiatives, there is a heightened risk of undiagnosed cases and subsequent transmission, which could reverse progress made in controlling the epidemic.

    Read Also: Trump halts HIV funding for Nigeria, others

    4. Economic Impact on Communities: The funding halt has resulted in staff layoffs and program shutdowns within organizations reliant on U.S. aid. This not only affects healthcare delivery but also the livelihoods of those employed by these programs, exacerbating economic challenges in vulnerable communities.

    5. Potential for Increased Mortality Rates: The disruption in the supply of life-saving HIV medications and services is expected to lead to higher mortality rates among those dependent on PEPFAR-supported treatments, particularly in countries with high HIV prevalence like Nigeria.

  • ‘Our goal is to end HIV in Lagos by 2030’

    ‘Our goal is to end HIV in Lagos by 2030’

    In its relentless pursuit of ending HIV by 2030, Lagos State is taking bold steps to create lasting change for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Through the efforts of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), the state has launched a series of transformative initiatives, including empowerment programmes that provide essential tools and financial support. These initiatives not only raise awareness but also offer practical solutions to foster economic independence and reduce stigma for PLHIV. Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF reports

    The Lagos State Government has set a bold and transformative goal: to end HIV in the state by 2030. Central to this mission is ensuring access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV (PLHIV), with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents. In line with this vision, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) launched a series of impactful initiatives to raise awareness, empower affected individuals, and drive community engagement. Among the highlights is a week-long programme aimed at amplifying the state’s HIV advocacy efforts.

    One notable event was a community engagement programme at Campos Stadium, Lagos Island, which creatively combined sports and health advocacy to promote HIV awareness. On December 3, a road walk for HIV prevention also took place alongside empowerment activities for persons living with HIV. The week culminated yesterday with the World AIDS Day Symposium at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton Lagos, Ikeja. This symposium focused on critical issues such as children’s welfare and sustainable HIV response strategies. Additionally, the state embarked on a three-day, state-wide initiative that reached over 100,000 individuals, providing free and confidential HIV testing across all 20 local government areas. These efforts are a testament to Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to curbing the epidemic and creating a healthier future for all residents.

    In a compelling address delivered at the World AIDS Day event yesterday, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to ending HIV/AIDS by 2030. With the theme: “Putting People First,” this year’s commemoration highlighted the collective responsibility of prioritising the dignity, humanity, and healthcare access of all individuals in the fight against the epidemic. Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised the state’s bold vision of achieving zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths through progressive policies and strategic initiatives.

    “Lagos State has long been a trailblazer in the fight against HIV/AIDS, demonstrating leadership through innovative strategies and substantial investments in healthcare,” the Governor stated. “While we are proud of our achievements, we remain mindful of the work ahead to ensure equitable access to life-saving services across all local government areas.” Central to this vision is the focus on empowering young people through intensified awareness campaigns in schools and communities. Recognising the critical role of youths in building an AIDS-free future, Sanwo-Olu underscored the importance of equipping them with knowledge and tools for informed health decisions. Equally significant is the state’s commitment to reducing stigma and discrimination. “By strengthening community-based support systems, we are fostering an inclusive environment where dignity and acceptance are upheld,” the Governor said.

    The state’s strategic plan includes leveraging public-private partnerships with international organisations, NGOs, and the private sector to expand interventions and ensure sustainable progress. Additionally, Lagos State is investing in data-driven research to better understand the epidemic and tailor interventions to the diverse needs of its population. Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) for its relentless efforts in organising impactful events and providing critical support to affected individuals. “Your unwavering advocacy and commitment exemplify the essence of World AIDS Day,” he noted.

    According to CEO of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, the symposium is not just an event but “a vital platform for fostering meaningful dialogue, sharing knowledge, and renewing our collective commitment to the fight against HIV.” She highlighted how this gathering allows LSACA to celebrate progress, learn from one another, and collaboratively chart a course for sustained impact. Reflecting on the agency’s achievements over the past year, Dr. Animashaun noted significant strides in curbing the HIV epidemic, supported by invaluable partnerships. Among the key accomplishments was the development and dissemination of comprehensive guidelines addressing the intersection of gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV. These guidelines provide actionable strategies for prevention, response, and survivor support, ensuring no one is left behind. Furthermore, LSACA established a dedicated Gender and Human Rights team, which has successfully mediated over 10 cases of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, safeguarding the rights and dignity of those affected by HIV.

    120,000 Lagos residents with HIV receive treatment

    The agency also revealed that over 120,000 people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Lagos State are currently receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy, with a focus on children, adolescents, and other vulnerable groups. The CEO disclosed these figures while noting that approximately 80 per cent of those on treatment have achieved viral load suppression. She highlighted that this milestone reflects the state’s progress toward the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets, affirming that Lagos has already met the 95-100-80 benchmark.

    The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets aim to end AIDS by 2030 by ensuring that  95 per cent of people living with HIV (PLWH) know their status, 95 percent of those who know their status are receiving treatment, and 95percent of those on treatment have an undetectable viral load. Dr. Animashaun made these remarks during a press briefing on Friday to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day. “In Lagos State, we have made remarkable strides in the fight against HIV. Through the combined efforts of government agencies, implementing partners, community stakeholders and the resilient people of Lagos, we have significantly advanced toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. These milestones reflect our commitment to a robust and inclusive HIV and AIDS response, giving us hope for a future free of HIV. Over 120,000 in Lagos State are currently receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy, with a particular proposal for children, adolescents, and other under-represented groups,” Animashaun said.

    Dr. Animashaun further revealed that over 1,219 children in Lagos State are living with HIV, emphasising the urgent need for targeted interventions to support this vulnerable group. The World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, aims to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and honour those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. This year’s theme, as announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is “Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right!” The theme focuses on addressing the inequalities that hinder global efforts to end AIDS by 2030.

    Read Also: Shettima calls for financial inclusion to achieve $1tn economy

    Speaking further, UNAIDS representative Dr. Temitope Fadiya emphasised the importance of this year’s theme, “Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right!” He noted that respecting human rights is central to ending AIDS and achieving the global goal of eliminating the epidemic by 2030. “Until we protect the rights of all, we cannot protect the health of all. There is a strong linkage between the protection of human rights and the protection of health and also the protection of health and the protection of human rights.

    “As we all know, our key drivers of the HIV epidemic relate to issues around gender inequalities, stigma and discrimination, exclusion of sexual minorities and other forms of marginalised populations. So, we must ensure that their rights are upheld. We must also ensure that their right to health services and HIV services is protected. So, for us to see the pathway to the end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, we must prioritise, one, the human rights of women and girls, particularly, adolescent girls and young women.

    “Adolescent girls and young women aged between 15 and 24 are four times more susceptible to HIV than their male counterparts. So, for us to see that pathway to the end of AIDS, we must ensure that their rights are protected and their rights are upheld. Then, we must also ensure that we protect the rights of marginalised populations and other forms of sexual minorities who continue to be excluded from the mainstream health and HIV services,” Fadiya said.

    Lagos empowers 100 people living with HIV

    In another bold move to enhance the lives of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Lagos, the state government also empowered 100 individuals with essential tools and financial support to foster their self-reliance and economic independence. The empowerment programme was part of the state’s activities to mark the 2024 World AIDS Day, which focused on the theme, “Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right!” The initiative, organised by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), was a significant step towards not only raising awareness but also creating tangible, long-lasting change in the lives of those living with HIV.

    Speaking at the event held at the Lagos State House of Assembly on December 3, Dr. Animashaun, the CEO of LSACA, emphasised that the empowerment programme was more than just a symbolic gesture. It was a practical, action-driven initiative aimed at making a real difference. She stated that LSACA would continue to prioritise the needs of PLHIV, ensuring that they had the necessary tools to rebuild their lives, contribute positively to their communities, and live with dignity. “This programme is not just about words; it’s about providing the tools needed for economic independence,” Dr. Animashaun said. “To those receiving sewing machines, sterilising kits for barbers and salon owners, and grinding machines, these tools represent more than just equipment—they represent opportunity. They are a stepping stone to financial independence.”

    The empowerment programme was particularly significant for those who had faced social exclusion and stigma due to their HIV status. For many, this initiative marked a new beginning—an opportunity to regain control over their livelihoods and contribute to their families and communities. By providing these tools, LSACA is offering more than just financial aid; it is empowering individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and stigma, enabling them to lead productive, fulfilling lives. Dr. Animashaun also acknowledged the agency’s focus on older adults living with HIV, ensuring that they receive ongoing financial support for their well-being. She expressed hope that these efforts would provide peace of mind to the beneficiaries, allowing them to live their lives with greater dignity.

    The gesture was made possible through the generous support of key stakeholders, including, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu. Dr. Animashaun expressed deep gratitude for her unwavering commitment, which played a crucial role in the success of the initiative. The Permanent Secretary, Office of Chief of Staff, Mr. Kadri Oluwasanu, also spoke at the event, affirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of people living with HIV. He reassured the beneficiaries that the Lagos State Government would continue to support them in their journey toward independence and self-sufficiency.

  • FG affirms commitment to fighting HIV

    FG affirms commitment to fighting HIV

    …as Jennifer joins the fight

    The federal government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to combating HIV/AIDS and eliminating mother-to-child transmission as part of its broader health sector reforms.

    With an estimated 2 million people living with HIV in Nigeria, including 150,000 children, the government described the situation as a call to action.

    The government lamented that nearly 40% of HIV-positive pregnant women in Nigeria do not receive interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission, a gap that urgently needs bridging.

    During the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2024 in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health, Adekunle Salako, emphasized the urgency of addressing the epidemic while highlighting recent strides and ongoing efforts.

    Salako praised the collaborative efforts of stakeholders for their dedication to expanding access to testing, treatment, and prevention programs.

    “Through a sector-wide approach, we have integrated HIV initiatives into our national health priorities, ensuring government ownership and accountability.

    “Our strategy is to provide consistent antiretroviral therapy, expand HIV testing and counselling, and strengthen prevention programs targeting high-risk populations,” he said.

    Salako highlighted that the government is committed to scaling up mother-to-child transmission interventions while assuring that all pregnant women, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, would have access to the necessary services to deliver HIV-negative children.

    The Minister acknowledged the vital role of development partners, particularly the United States Government, the Global Fund, and the United Nations, in supporting Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS.

    He called on State and Local governments, the private sector, and community leaders to strengthen interventions and address barriers to healthcare access.

    Read Also: Fed Govt raises 2025 HIV response fund

    He also reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and sustaining domestic resource mobilization to secure medicines and strengthen healthcare oversight, saying, “We must ensure that no child is left behind. Our collective action can pave the way for a future free of HIV”.

    Funke Akindele has however pledged to intensify her efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with a focus on awareness, stigma reduction, and access to treatment.

    The Nollywood actor, popularly known as Jennifer, who was installed as National Goodwill Ambassador (GWA) for Nigeria for the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), during the WAD commemoration in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasized her commitment to addressing critical issues, including preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring no child is born with HIV. 

    The prestigious UNAIDS nomination recognizes Akindele’s outstanding contributions to the fight against HIV and her unwavering commitment to advocacy, raising awareness, and driving efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030

    Acknowledging the theme of this year’s WAD, ‘Take the Virus Out, Sustain HIV Response, Stop HIV Among Children, End AIDS by 2030’, she highlighted the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to tackling the epidemic, particularly in Nigeria, where over 160,000 children live with HIV. 

    The GWA pledged to partner with national and international organizations, including the Nigerian government, to strengthen strategies, enhance public awareness through digital campaigns, and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

    She called on State governments to support initiatives ensuring lifesaving treatments for pregnant women, reducing new infections among children. 

    She expressed gratitude for the recognition of her longstanding advocacy and vowed to use her platform to advance policies and programs that uplift affected communities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity for a healthy, fulfilling life.

    “With hope and determination, I pledge to contribute meaningfully toward ending HIV/AIDS as a global health threat,” she said.

    UNAIDS Country Representative, Leo Zekeng, noted that Nigeria has made significant strides in the fight against HIV over the past two decades.

    “As of 2023, approximately 2 million people are living with HIV in the country, with an adult prevalence rate of 1.3% among individuals aged 15–49. Nigeria recorded approximately 130,000 new HIV infections in 2010.

    “By 2023, this number had declined to about 75,000 new infections, representing a reduction of approximately 55,000 cases, or a 42.3% decrease over the 13 years.

    “The country has also achieved notable progress in treatment access, with 1.6 million out of the 2 million people living with HIV in Nigeria currently on treatment”.

    However, he noted that despite the advancements, challenges remain, including addressing stigma and discrimination and ensuring equitable access to prevention and treatment services across all regions, calling for sustained and sustainable efforts to eliminate the disease as a public health threat by 2030.

    Earlier, the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, noted that WAD serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight against HIV and the need for sustained action, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations such as children.

    “This year, we are placing special emphasis on stopping AIDS among children and raising consciousness on sustainability and ownership of the HIV response,” she said, noting that despite advancements, Nigeria faces persistent challenges, including a 1.4% HIV prevalence among those aged 15-64 and significant hurdles in preventing mother-to-child transmission.

    She urged collective efforts to scale up prevention services, expand antenatal care, and address social barriers, saying, “We must eliminate mother-to-child transmission by ensuring timely and quality care for women and children.” 

    Highlighting progress, Ilori noted: “Key milestones include launching the PMTCT and Pediatric Acceleration Committee, initiating local production of HIV-related commodities, and strengthening data management,” adding that publishing Nigeria’s HIV data through UNAIDS for the first time in three years reinforces a commitment to transparency and evidence-based interventions. 

    While acknowledging challenges such as dwindling donor funding and HIV-related stigma, the DG called for renewed partnerships and inclusive policies, saying, “Let us create an environment where everyone feels safe and empowered to seek care without rejection or exclusion.”  

  • Fed Govt raises 2025 HIV response fund

    Fed Govt raises 2025 HIV response fund

    The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has said Nigeria is making progress in the effort to achieve the global target of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 through a series of comprehensive and ambitious initiatives.

    Pate spoke yesterday at a virtual World AIDS Day media roundtable organised by the Global Fund.

    The minister outlined Federal Government’s key strategies to combat the disease through the adoption of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to streamline resources and enhance accountability across national and sub-national levels.

    “This approach ensures accountability and establishes robust reporting and monitoring systems,” he said.

    Pate, who was represented by the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Olori, said private sector engagement through the HIV Trust Fund had also been instrumental in mobilising domestic resources with major enterprises and philanthropists contributing to the fight.

    The minister said a N1.3 trillion allocation to healthcare for 2025 had been proposed, marking a significant increase in funding, out of which N10 billion was earmarked for antiretroviral treatment and prevention, targeting support for at least 100,000 Nigerians living with HIV.

    He said the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) provides funding for vulnerable groups, including those affected by HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, through a one per cent revenue contribution from the Consolidated National Fund.

    According to him, Nigeria is prioritising the domestic production of HIV-related commodities, including condoms, antiretroviral drugs, and rapid test kits, to enhance sustainability.

    Pate said discussions would be held with pharmaceutical companies to establish production facilities through government tax waivers on equipment.

    The minister announced that production is expected to begin by the end of 2025, contingent on meeting the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification standards.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa leads walks on HIV/AIDs awareness

    “This initiative aims to reduce dependency on foreign exchange and lower costs,” he said.

    Pate also said workforce development is another cornerstone of the strategy, with over 40,000 health workers trained this year and a target of 120,000 by 2025.

    The minister said the government had intensified prevention efforts with the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, testing over four million expectant mothers in 2023, which surpassed expectations.

    “We have mapped 40,000 health facilities offering HIV services to ensure broader access to care,” he said.

    Pate noted that significant challenges remained, including stigma, discrimination, and the criminalisation of key populations.

    “Stigma and discrimination deter people from accessing medication and care,” he said, stressing the importance of addressing these issues.

    According to him, the efforts to combat HIV/AIDs were facing funding constraints at the sub-national level, though recent reforms granting autonomy to local governments offer hope for improved resource mobilisation.

    Pate emphasised the critical role of data in ensuring accountability and effective planning, saying efforts to improve data quality and digitise health records are included in the broader strategy to modernise Nigeria’s healthcare system.

    “Reliable data enhances transparency and coordination with international partners,” he said, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to programmatic and financial sustainability.

    The Executive Director of Global Fund, Peter Sands, warned of donor fatigue and risks posed by funding cuts.

    He emphasised the need for more investment in prevention and treatment.

    The United States Global AIDS Coordinator for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), John Nkengasong, highlighted the programme’s support for local manufacturing in Africa, a key pillar for sustaining the HIV response and enhancing health security.

    “We have committed to purchasing 15 million made-in-Africa HIV rapid tests and millions of antiretroviral doses, contingent on their meeting stringent regulatory and cost-effectiveness standards,” he said.

    Nkengasong linked regional manufacturing to broader global health resilience, particularly in crises like COVID-19.

    He acknowledged some challenges, including affordability and maintaining quality standards, saying: “Cost remains a barrier for many. We must avoid premium pricing for locally manufactured products.”

    Also, the acting Executive Secretary of Kogi State Agency for the Control of Aids (KOSACA), Ibrahim Anate, has said 36,066 people are receiving HIV/AIDS treatment in the state.

    He said the state government was taking steps to stem the rise of the deadly disease.

    Anate spoke yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, during this year’s commemoration of the World AIDS Day organised by the Centre for Integrated Health Programmes (CIHP) in collaboration with the Kogi State Agency for the Control of AIDS.

    Anate announced that the state was “seriously fighting the scourge and we are giving the awareness to all the communities and the hard-to-reach areas of the awareness of HIV in Kogi State”.

    He added: “The state government under Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo is striving hard to see that people that are living with HIV/AIDs are on treatment and those pregnant women that are HIV-positive deliver babies that are negative.”

    Also, the Niger State Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare, Dr. Bello Tukur, has said out of 85,170 clients counselled and tested from January to October 30, a total of 2,646 tested positive with HIV and 88 of them were expectant mothers.

    Tukur said said the state had 33,937 people living with HIV and were receiving treatment.

    The commissioner said over 30,000 people were on lifesaving drugs in the state.

    Tukur said this while addressing reporters during the commemoration of this year’s World AiDS Day at the General Hospital in Minna, the state capital.

    The commissioner noted that despite these figures, the state remained committed to sustaining the best practices that helped it in reducing the HIV prevalence to 0.7 per cent, the lowest in the Northcentral.

    Tukur, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Muhammad Gana, said there were no facts on who tested positive for HIV in the course of the year.

    “The early infant diagnosis for the total number of infants who had a first virologic HIV test sample collected for the year under review from PMTCT sites stands at 86.

    “Out of this total number of samples sent, none were found to be HIV positive. All those that passed through the PMTCT services turned out HIV negative.”

    Also, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa yesterday led a road walk to increase awareness on the need to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the state.

    The road walk was also meant to mobilise support for people living with the virus.

    Aiyedatiwa led the road walk from the Government House at Alagbaka to the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, a distance of about four kilomtres.

    Addressing the participants, the governor said his administration was committed to eradicating HIV/AIDS through various interventions.

    He listed the state’s procured HIV test kits for all health facilities, established monitoring and evaluation programmes for family life and HIV education in secondary schools as part of the interventions.

    Aiyedatiwa called for stronger collaboration among civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and religious groups to achieve the state’s goal of zero new HIV infections by 2030.

    “As a government of the people, we are committed to the sustainability of HIV prevention in the state. We shall continue to provide enabling environments, social policies, and programmes to facilitate HIV/AIDS prevention,” he said.

  • Niger records 2,647 HIV cases in 2024, says commissioner

    Niger records 2,647 HIV cases in 2024, says commissioner

    …insures 1,000 HIV clients into state health insurance scheme

    Niger State Commissioner of Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare, Dr Bello Tukur, has disclosed that out of 85,170 clients counselled and tested from January to October 30th, 2,646 clients tested positive for HIV, out of which 88 were pregnant women.

    He said that the state currently has 33,937 people living with HIV who are currently receiving treatment in Niger state, adding that over 30,000 people are currently on HIV lifesaving drugs in the state.

    The commissioner stated this at a press briefing to commemorate the 2024 World AiDS Day at the General Hospital in Minna, saying that despite these figures, the state remains committed to sustaining the best practices that have led to the reduction of the HIB prevalence to 0.7 per cent in Niget s5wt3, which is the lowest in the north-central zone of the country.

    Read Also: World AIDS Day: Oyo govt urges pregnant women to register for antenatal care, HIV test

    The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, DR Muhammad Gana, said that there are currently no facts who tested positive for HIV in the course of the year.

    “The early infant diagnosis for the total number of infants who had a first virologic HIV test sample collected for the year under review from PMTCT sites stands at 86. Out of this total number of samples sent, none were found to be HIV positive. All those that pass through the PMTCT services turned out HIV negative.” 

    The commissioner lamented that commercial female sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgenders, persons in correctional facilities and persons who inject drugs remain the main drivers of HIV in the state adding that recently, low condom use due to the increase in the price of condoms and early sexual debut has contributed to the drivers of the transmission of new infections.

    The commissioner also disclosed that 1,000 HIV clients had been enrolled on the Niger State Health Insurance scheme to enable them to have ease of service across the state.

    Various stakeholders at the event applauded the government for giving them an ending environment towards the response of eradicating HIV in the state.

  • IAS seeks global unity to tackle HIV

    IAS seeks global unity to tackle HIV

    …5.4m worldwide not aware of  status

    The International AIDS Society (IAS) President, Beatriz Grinsztejn, has called for global unity to reach all, emphasizing the importance of coming together to ensure that no one is left behind in the HIV response.

    Grinsztejn spoke as part of activities marking the World AIDS Day.

    The IAS boss urged people everywhere to rally around the theme, “Unite to reach all”. 

    “We must unite science, policy and activism to ensure that all can seamlessly access the support and care they require,” Grinsztejn said.

    According to the statement, In 2023, around 5.4 million of the 39.9 million people living with HIV worldwide – one in seven – were not aware of their status. 

    ‘At the same time, 9.3 million – nearly one in four – were not receiving life-saving treatment. With 7.5 million people having started pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to date, we will not achieve the global goal of 10 million PrEP initiations by 2025.

    “Despite significant advancements in long-acting PrEP and treatment, these technologies are largely out of reach in low- and middle-income countries.

    Read Also: Japa: Look beyond your basic needs — Don urges healthworkers

    “High drug prices, restrictive licensing and limited manufacturing capabilities are likely to hinder the rollout of the long-acting PrEP products, cabotegravir and lenacapavir, while long-acting HIV treatment becoming accessible in the hardest-hit regions is an even more distant prospect,” the IAS stated.

    The voices of scientists, healthcare providers, policy makers, civil society, people living with and affected by HIV need to come together to ensure that the benefits of scientific advancement reach everyone, Grinsztejn said.

    To mark World AIDS Day today, the IAS boss said the Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) is publishing a viewpoint, titled “The ground has shifted under PEPFAR – what does that mean for its future?”, by Jennifer Kates, Brian Honermann and Gregorio Millett.

    World AIDS Day is a moment to reflect, remember and act. 

    “Progress is happening, but we can’t stop now. We need to unite to reach all to ensure that no one is left behind in the HIV response. 

    Whether you’re advocating for access to the best healthcare, sharing your story or making policy change happen, every action counts,” the statement preached.