With the launch of UNAIDS annual State of the Epidemic report, ‘The Path that Ends AIDS‘, there is a clear path to end AIDS by 2030. Society for Family Health (SFH) has renewed its commitment towards charting the path that end AIDS which will help prepare for and tackle future pandemics and advance progress towards achieving the 2030 Global Goals.

The report charts a path that can end AIDS, and documents important progress, but challenges remain. Therefore, this calls for immediate action to put the world on course to reach critical 2030 targets. We at SFH are renewing our commitments and strategic priorities to continue to prioritize and reach women and key populations. Women and girls are not being reached sufficiently. The AIDS report 2023 report shows that “every week 4,000 adolescent girls & young women are infected with HIV and the majority are in the region of Sub-Saharan Africa due to gaps in HIV prevention programs and gender inequalities”.

According to the new report, The Path to Ending AIDS is clear but requires political & financial commitment. An estimated 39 million people were living with HIV around the world in 2022 – yet world leaders could end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Addressing these gaps is crucial to end AIDS and will also require international solidarity, between rich & poor countries. This is the time for countries including Nigeria to renew its commitment by translating its promise into action. Local ownership, domestic resources mobilization and integration which are anchored in strong political leadership and communities centered are essential. We are calling for renewed action and commitment from government and partners to continue the path that ensure sustainability with focus on children & key populations and investing in a sustainable response through financing what matters most.

SFH with support from multiple partners; Global Fund, USAID, ViiV, PATA, BMGF, CIFF and UNAIDS, are helping us in charting the way to ensure the Path that Ends AIDS in Nigeria. We have been working together to eliminate all HIV-related stigma and discrimination by providing safe space and promotion of non-discriminatory laws for key populations. Recently, the Harm reduction services guidelines and SOP was launched in the country, SFH provided high-level technical support towards its actualization including supporting research and study tours towards better understanding on how it can be rolled out. We are providing continuous support in meaningful engagement for young people in and out of schools, education and curriculum development & voluntary HIV testing to empower community networks. We have also rolled out interventions around PTMCT for pregnant women and children, reaching thousands to uphold power of adolescent girls & young women to make autonomous decisions about their own bodies and challenge discriminatory norms that prevent access. We work to continually build the capacity of community-based organizations, lower cadre health workers and networks to enable sustainable HIV programming at community level.

We are now working assiduously with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), NASCP, NACA and other sub-national governments to put people and communities first in our policy priority & programmes in achieving UHC. This promotes the integration of HIV care in our health systems, leadership and governance, and gender equality for better overall health.

Download full report on: Thepath.unaids.org