Key State leadership for health, HIV/AIDS and budget has called on State Governments to come up with specific and implementable public-private sector framework to sustain HIV/AIDS response in their respective States.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of one day stakeholders roundtable meeting on the way forward in ensuring that the HIV response is sustained.
The meeting appealed to State Governments to scale up HIV/AIDS services and expand access to HIV services across tertiary, secondary and primary facilities in local government areas that are not covered.
The meeting also enjoined Government at all levels and donor agencies to ensure that all HIV infected are identified and placed on treatment in order to meet up with the 95-95-95 strategy.
The stakeholders urged State Governments to leverage on the existing funding mechanism like the SDGs, BHCFP, State Health Insurance Scheme, ZAKKAT Fund and other funds for HIV response.
Establishment of high level inter-ministerial platform at State levels driven by the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) where key decision makers deliberate on State HIV response, the meeting stressed.
The meeting also urged State Governments to align the HIV/AIDS state strategy into the wider state strategy development plan to gain acceptance and funding.
Participants were drawn from Niger, Kebbi, Kwarai, Sokoto and Zamfara States as well as NACA, NASCP and Chemonics SHARP Task Order One.
The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane in company of Hon.Hussaini Yabagi, Chairman, Niger State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Akilu Musa Kuta, Permanent Secretary, Finance, Yahuza A. Abdullahi, State Planning Commission and Adamu Baba, Director General, NGSACA attended the Roundtable Meeting which was held at Bolton White Hotel, Abuja.
