The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) is encouraging adolescents and young people in the country to actively participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Dr. Gambo Aliyu, the Director General of NACA, conveyed this message during the National Symposium on HIV Prevention Models for Adolescents and Young People held in Abuja. This event received support from USAID through the Key Population Care-1 Project, which is implemented by Heartland Alliance and John Snow Incorporated (JSI).
Dr. James Anenih, representing Dr. Aliyu at the symposium, emphasized the importance of hearing the voices of young individuals, as the government is developing initiatives to empower them in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Aliyu highlighted the need for youths to be actively involved in developing strategies that align with their needs.
Evidence collected in the past year indicates that a significant portion of the population contracting HIV comprises adolescents and young people. The response is now focused on engaging them with specific services tailored to prevention and treatment. The government’s strategy for this demographic includes empowering them to reduce behaviors that put them at risk of HIV transmission.
Dr. Olawale Durisinmi, the Country Lead of JSI Research and Training Incorporated, mentioned that the organization is providing technical support to the government on HIV prevention. This support aims to ensure that interventions are designed to benefit Nigerians, addressing the needs and challenges of the key populations targeted by the intervention.
Dr. Yinka Falola, who serves as the Chair of the 2023 World AIDS Committee of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has urged policymakers, religious figures, and community leaders to join forces in a collective effort aimed at bringing an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria by the year 2030.
Dr. Falola emphasizes the importance of collaboration and coordination among these diverse groups to effectively address and combat the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS within the country, fostering a united front in the pursuit of the ambitious goal of eradicating the virus by the end of the decade.
This collective effort is crucial for making the vision of a HIV/AIDS-free Nigeria a reality.
