Dr. Echey Ijezie

By Echey Ijezie

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is celebrating a significant milestone – over 2 million lives are now receiving HIV care globally under our watch. As the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care worldwide, AHF’s commitment to providing pioneering treatment and advocacy regardless of the ability to pay has never been more evident. This achievement highlights our relentless pursuit of a world free from AIDS and also speaks to the significant strides we’ve made, particularly in Nigeria—a critical battleground in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

AHF was founded in 1987 and is based in Los Angeles. Since inception, we have grown from a small organisation into a global leader in HIV/AIDS care. Our mission is rooted in the principle of delivering high-quality medical care and advocacy to all individuals, regardless of their financial status. This commitment is supported by our extensive network of pharmacies, thrift stores, healthcare contracts, and strategic partnerships. Our approach combines innovative treatment methods, comprehensive care, and robust advocacy to combat HIV/AIDS effectively.

In Nigeria, AHF has tailored this mission to address the unique challenges faced by the country. We officially commenced HIV/AIDS service provision in August 2011, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH-NASCP), SMOH, and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). AHF Nigeria has been involved in the nation’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS by collaborating with local health agencies and leveraging global partnerships, while tailoring our programs to meet the specific needs of Nigerian communities, contributing significantly to the broader fight against HIV/AIDS, especially in very remote locations. Nigeria like many African nations faces considerable challenges in combating HIV/AIDS and despite significant progress in recent years, countries continues to grapple with new infections, stigma, limited financial resources and shrinking access to care in remote areas. The Nigerian government and various stakeholders have made strides in improving treatment access and reducing HIV prevalence. However, the nature of the epidemic demands persistent efforts and innovative solutions to achieve a significant impact.

AFH programmes in Nigeria are designed to address both immediate healthcare needs and long-term sustainability issues. Key initiatives undertaken include collaboration with Nigerian health authorities, expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other essential services, and ensuring that treatment reaches the most vulnerable populations, including those in remote areas. As of August 2024, AHF Nigeria supports 28,480 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) with free comprehensive anti-retroviral therapy, antibiotics for the treatment of opportunistic infections, drugs for non-communicable diseases, and free laboratory services across seven states.

We partnered mainly with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Health, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and with the State Ministries of Health, while actively collaborating with international funding bodies like PEPFAR and her partners in the country, including the Global Fund, with AFH donating $10 Million to the Fund during the last replenishment effort. These partnerships have been instrumental in scaling up services and improving treatment outcomes. Our community outreach efforts focus on empowering communities through the setting up of the Community Advocacy Clubs, reducing stigma and increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS. Through educational campaigns and support groups, we empower individuals to seek care and advocate for their health.

The impact of AHF’s work in Nigeria is best illustrated through the lives of those who have benefited from our services. Stories of resilience and transformation are at the heart of our mission, and these stories continue to inspire our work every day. We have conducted over 2.4 million HIV tests, distributed more than 26 million free condoms, and awarded over USD 375,000 in grants to community-based organisations (CBOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) across Nigeria.

AHF Nigeria actively works towards the elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV with the setting up of an active Mentor Mothers’ network across our states of operation which include Abuja-FCT, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross river, Kogi and Nasarawa states. The organisation has continued to provide the full complement of the Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) services to clients while ensuring that comprehensive care is accessible to all, irrespective of location in the aforementioned states of operation. In addition, we have supported the training of over 2,000 government healthcare workers on key areas related to the treatment, care, and prevention of HIV, using multiple capacity-building platforms, including a dedicated online CME portal.

Our advocacy work is equally robust. AHF Nigeria leads the annual International Condom Day (ICD) commemoration in Nigeria as part of our condom advocacy and promotion policy. In 2019, we conducted a nationwide survey on condom consumption attitudes in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and NOI polls. These efforts are crucial in promoting safer sex practices and reducing the spread of HIV.

Despite our achievements, we still face some challenges, which are general to the national HIV/AIDS landscape. Stigma continues to hinder access to care, especially in conservative areas. Also, reaching individuals in remote regions and addressing new infections require innovation, resources and detailed consistency. The rates of new infections and barriers to care in certain areas pose significant obstacles to achieving comprehensive epidemic control.

Looking ahead, AHF Nigeria is committed to broadening her reach by enhancing free service delivery and ensuring that more individuals receive the care they need, regardless of their location. We will strengthen our outreach efforts, increase awareness, combat stigma, and provide education on HIV prevention and treatment. Our dedication to exploring new approaches to care and advocacy will help us address emerging challenges and improve patient outcomes.

As we celebrate this remarkable milestone of 2 million lives in care, it is crucial to recognise the collective effort that has made this achievement possible. AHF’s success is really about the dedication of our healthcare providers, partners, especially government and the other implementing partners, particularly PEPFAR and the Global Fund. However, our work is far from finished. The fight against HIV/AIDS requires continued support, advocacy, and innovation. In these areas, AHF is fully committed to the success of the HIV/AIDS intervention with our edge of being a program and not a project – which means our commitment is not time bound. We are motivated to do more until we win the fight against AIDS.

Dr. Echey Ijezie is Country Program Director, AHF Nigeria.