AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, says no fewer than 3.4
million people are living with HIV and AIDS in the country and only
700,000 persons have access to treatment.
Adetayo Towolawi, the Country’s Programme Manager, made this known in
an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday, in Abuja.
He said the figure was worrisome as Nigeria’s population was about
170 million people with the second highest burden of HIV in Africa after
South Africa.
Towolawi said there were still a huge number of persons who do not
have access to treatment further urging the Federal Government to scale
up funding in HIV response.
“Funding is still a huge challenge, there is a requirement by UNAIDS
for Nigeria to contribute into the global funds of 13 billion dollar
target.
“If our funding continues the way it is now, over 20 million people will die between now and 2030.
“This tells us that about 20 million people are yet to have access to treatment,’’ he said.
Towolawi said in eliminating HIV and AIDS by 2030, there was need for
the government to fulfill its promise of funding, testing and treatment
in order to put the virus under control.
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