President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria (HTFN) to ensure sustainable mobilisation of domestic resources from the private sector towards the eradication of AIDS in Nigeria.
The efforts are set to start with the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV.
The HTFN is a private sector-led fund proposed by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) alongside the Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA).
The body is expected to attract N62 billion financial commitments from the private sector for the next five years.
It will also ensure that the funding gap for HIV in Nigeria is closed.
Giving his speech at the launching of the HTFN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Buhari said: “This administration has continued to prioritise health interventions to eliminate killer diseases and healthcare emergencies. Ending the AIDS threat in Nigeria will require increased domestic funding. We will continue to make good our commitment to place more people living with HIV on treatment annually, using national resources.
“However, strong domestic resources mobilisation with the enduring partnership will ensure that this facility is sustained in response to HIV and other emerging public health emergencies.
“Going forward, I hope the HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria will galvanise more of the private sector and other partners to surpass the target of N62 billion in the next five years.”
