Nigeria: Donor Cuts, Govt Inaction Negatively Impact HIV Patients in Rivers, Akwa Ibom (3)
[Premium Times] Conclusion of PREMIUM TIMES' three-part series: As donor support declines, laws meant to guarantee political leadership, funding and protection for people living with HIV remain weakly implemented, raising critical questions about accountability in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.
A three-part PREMIUM TIMES investigation reveals that donor funding cuts and weak government action have put HIV patients in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states at risk. Despite laws aimed at ensuring political leadership, funding, and protection for people living with HIV, there is little evidence that key statutory mechanisms functioned as intended as donor support waned.
In Akwa Ibom, the HIV/AIDS Control Agency Law established the State Council on HIV/AIDS, composed of the governor, deputy governor, and other high-ranking officials. However, PREMIUM TIMES could not obtain records of quarterly council meetings or actions taken to prepare for declining international aid. The Akwa Ibom government declined to provide records, citing the Commissioner for Health's lack of responsibility.
A similar situation exists in Rivers State, where the HIV/AIDS Control Agency Law established governance structures to support the HIV response as donor funding diminished. Yet, PREMIUM TIMES could not obtain records of the statutory structures' functionality during the transition period.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
