HIV/AIDS: WHO Urges More Effort to Address Funding Gaps, Tackle Stigma

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked African countries to respond more positively to an unprecedented HIV funding challenge that is threatening decades of progress.In the same vein, the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) has asked the federal government to fully integrate HIV services into the national health system to improve funding and strengthen access to care.

It also said that the measure will curb persistent stigma and discrimination suffered by the affected persons.A message by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, to mark World AIDS Day 2025 said that urgent measures need to be taken to address HIV’s fragile funding landscape, safeguard the gains, and protect lives.“On World AIDS Day, we renew our shared commitment to ending HIV in Africa, a challenge that persists, but one we have the power to overcome.

“This year’s theme: ‘Overcoming Disruption: Transforming the AIDS Response’ challenges us to redefine our response to an unprecedented HIV funding landscape that is threatening decades of progress.“These pullbacks make it more urgent than ever to safeguard the gains, and protect lives,” he said .

According to Janabi, the reality also offers an opportunity to build a stronger, more self-reliant and more integrated response.

“Across Africa, countries are working to embed HIV services within primary health care systems, ensuring inclusive, people-centred care.

“Sustaining this progress means protecting the infrastructure that supports testing, treatment and prevention, while accelerating access to innovation.

“New tools, such as long-acting HIV prevention medicines like Lenacapavir, can transform lives, requiring only two injections a year. WHO commends South Africa for being the first African country to licence Lenacapavir for use to prevent HIV, and we hope more African countries will follow their lead,” said Janabi.

Speaking at a media-focused meeting organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, NEPWHAN’s National President, Abdulkadiri Ibrahim, criticised the current fragmented approach in which different agencies and departments manage aspects of the HIV response.

He argued that this lack of coordination weakens  and urged the government to “find a common ground” for a more unified system.

Ibrahim also warned that the recent shift in U.S. government policy has led to a drastic reduction in funding for several health interventions it previously supported.

Although HIV programmes received a waiver, Ibrahim said some critical components—particularly prevention—had been “significantly affected.”

“Prevention efforts, especially those targeting the key drivers of the epidemic such as young people and key populations, have suffered major setbacks,” he said.