The Akwa Ibom State Government has described the withdrawal of foreign aid for HIV programs as a wake-up call for Nigeria, emphasizing the need to prioritize local strategies for sustainable healthcare responses.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop on evidence-based advocacy for gender-responsive HIV, TB, and malaria interventions in Uyo, the state capital, the Programme Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), Emabong Akpan, stressed the importance of domestic funding.
“The era of integration is here. We have learned from the experience of the recent withdrawal of foreign aid for HIV by the USA, and we are working tirelessly to strengthen the local response,” Akpan stated. “One of the key drivers of sustainable funding and improved healthcare delivery is strong advocacy.”
He urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) participating in the workshop to leverage their new knowledge to push for policies that ensure long-term funding and gender-responsive health interventions.
In a keynote address, Hon. Moses Essien, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House Committee on Health, underscored the importance of gender-sensitive healthcare policies in combating HIV, TB, and malaria. He noted that these diseases disproportionately affect women, girls, and marginalized communities, who often struggle to access timely treatment and care.
“I am confident that the insights and skills gained from this workshop will help shape a more responsive, equitable, and sustainable health system—one that ensures the most vulnerable populations are not left behind and that gender-related barriers are effectively addressed,” Hon. Essien stated.
He further reaffirmed the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to supporting advocacy initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the state.
