Private sector stakeholders are set to launch the N62.1 Billion ($150 Million) HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria.
The HTFN is a sustainable financing mechanism for the mobilisation and deployment of domestic private sector resources to enhance the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in Nigeria.
The trust fund is recommended by Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS and driven by the Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS.
A statement by NACA noted that the trust fund will improve efforts to ensure coverage of high-IMPACT HIV interventions.
It will also provide the requisite treatment for HIV-positive mothers while contributing to closing the funding gap for HIV in Nigeria that currently stands at about U$108 Million per annum, NACA said.
According to the agency, Nigeria has the highest number of HIV new infections among children globally.
The Trust Fund’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jekwu Ozoemene, stated that by deploying private sector competencies and capital market tools, the HTFN is key to helping Nigeria achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 strategy of Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030; achieving 95 per cent diagnosed among all people living with HIV, 95 per cent on antiretroviral therapy among diagnosed, and 95 per cent virally suppressed among treated.