AIDS fight must reach rural communities, says regional manager

The Regional Manager, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Tangkat Hosle, has called for stronger government-led and community-owned efforts to control HIV/AIDS, insisting that sustaining innovations is crucial to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Speaking at the 2025 World AIDS Day commemoration on Tuesday in Abuja, Dr. Hosle praised the Federal Capital Territory Administration for creating a platform to review progress and renew commitment to the national HIV response.

“I want to appreciate the government of Nigeria for the opportunity to mark this year’s World AIDS Day 2025. This provides an opportunity for us to review our interventions and look at how far we’ve gone,” he said.

With this year’s theme focusing on innovation and sustainability, Hosle said the message was timely and critical for both government and communities.

“This topical area helps each and every one of us and people living with HIV (PLHIV) to take ownership of the HIV response. From the national to the local government levels, sustainability allows us to contribute meaningfully to controlling HIV/AIDS,” he noted.

He reaffirmed IHVN’s commitment to intensifying collaboration with the government, strengthening the health system and advancing innovative solutions that support treatment and prevention.

While acknowledging significant progress made over the years, Hosle warned that HIV/AIDS remains a major health challenge that disproportionately affects vulnerable groups especially the poor, women and children. He added that despite advances that have turned HIV from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition, more work is needed to protect those most at risk.

Also addressing participants, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babagana Adams, stressed the need to push HIV awareness and services deeper into rural communities.

“The people who need the message more are in the communities,” she said.

“We can’t succeed in sustaining the campaign against AIDS without going closer to the rural areas.”

Fasawe said the 2025 theme “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response” offers a platform to discuss how to mobilise local resources to fill funding gaps and ensure Nigerians living with HIV do not face additional burdens.

She listed security challenges, limited access to some localities, and persistent stigma as major obstacles to effective HIV control.

“The government is committed to ensuring access, affordability and availability so that treatment success rates improve,” she added.

The Director, FCT Department of Public Health, Dr. Dan Gadzama, said the FCT has strengthened its grassroots structures through a First-Class Committee that engages area councils and communities directly.

“We educate people about HIV, including the availability of treatment and preventive services. Treatment is free,” Gadzama said.

He explained that community mobilisers, PLHIV support groups, and civil society organisations are working together to sustain awareness and service uptake across all six area councils.

Although external support, particularly from the United States has reduced, Gadzama said the FCT is now focusing inwardly to mobilise domestic resources to keep HIV services running.

“With dwindling funding, it is important that programmes like malaria, tuberculosis and other health services are integrated to minimise cost and ensure wider access,” he said.

The global shift toward innovative solutions, including long-acting injectable drugs that offer monthly HIV prevention, is another step toward sustaining services, he added.

Responding to concerns that HIV awareness should go beyond symposium halls, Gadzama said community activities had already begun across the FCT.

“As a matter of fact, activities started in all the area councils on Sunday and will continue till Friday. This event is simply for key stakeholders to dialogue on ways to close gaps in HIV services,” he said.

He reiterated that the FCT Administration will sustain its partnerships with local and international stakeholders while expanding innovations that protect communities from disruptions in HIV care.

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