Nigeria, WHO Strengthen Fight Against HIV, Hepatitis, And STIs

Nigeria is advancing its national response to HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with renewed support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and international partners.

At a high-level meeting led by Dr. Pavel Ursu, WHO and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) agreed on key next steps to accelerate progress toward eliminating these infections in the country.

WHO reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s health priorities by adapting global guidance on HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs to the Nigerian context and supporting nationwide implementation of strategies and plans, providing technical support for the adoption of WHO’s three consecutive test strategy to confirm HIV diagnoses, strengthening integrated service delivery, expanding beyond HIV to include sexual and reproductive health and other communicable diseases and supporting the rollout of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as a key HIV prevention tool.

The collaboration underscores Nigeria’s strong leadership and long-standing partnership with WHO and donors, aimed at saving lives, expanding access to care, and ensuring no community is left behind.

According to a statement by the health officials, they opined that the renewed push reflects Nigeria’s determination to meet global targets for HIV, hepatitis, and STI elimination, while reinforcing the country’s broader health goals.

“This collaboration reflects Nigeria’s strong leadership and a long standing partnership focused on saving lives, expanding access to care, and ensuring no community is left behind—with continued support from donors and partners advancing the country’s health goals” the statement noted.