Safe-Revive Africa (SRA) has called on communities, religious leaders, and traditional institutions to champion acceptance and inclusion for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria.
SRA is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing health and education across African communities, with a strong focus on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment support, and community empowerment.
The organisation noted that although HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, fear and stigma continue to prevent many Nigerians from seeking testing and treatment.
While commending the Federal Government’s $200 million intervention in the HIV response, it stressed the need for sustained domestic investment as Nigeria’s HIV programme becomes increasingly self-reliant.
“Recent funding uncertainties from international donors have exposed the fragility of our progress, but they have also strengthened our resolve to build a sustainable, domestically driven HIV response,” he said.
SRA also underscored the need for government and sector stakeholders to leverage innovation to further reduce new infections.
“New prevention tools, including long-acting injectable medications, offer unprecedented opportunities to curb infections. We must ensure these innovations reach the most vulnerable populations, particularly adolescent girls, young women, and key populations,” it added.
Nigeria has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. With an estimated 1.9 million people living with HIV, the country has recorded an impressive 87-98-95 performance on global treatment targets and achieved a 46 per cent reduction in new infections over the past decade.
According to SRA, these gains reflect the dedication of healthcare workers, the resilience of affected communities, and sustained collaboration among government, civil society organisations, and development partners.
Safe-Revive Africa said it remained committed to health education, community mobilisation, and capacity building.
“Through our sensitisation forums, we empower communities to take ownership of the HIV response and other health challenges, towards building a healthier nation,” it said.
The organisation recently hosted its 4th Sensitisation Forum in Lagos, bringing together community workers who serve as the backbone of its HIV awareness and intervention campaigns.
