AIDS Healthcare Foundation Unveils Two New Facilities in Nigeria

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Two newly constructed facilities have been officially unveiled in Nigeria by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in partnership with the Benue State Ministry of Health and Benue State AIDS Control Agency (BENSACA).

The AHF is the largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organization in the world, which provides health care to more than 690,000 patients in 38 countries, including the US, throughout Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

In Nigeria, AHF has been operating in the country since 2011, when it started providing free HIV/AIDS services in Gbajimba General Hospital in Benue State.

Today, AHF Nigeria has expanded from one clinic facility to twenty-six facilities in Benue State alone and five additional states in the country, reaching over 11,000 clients with lifesaving medication.

“The two structures we unveiled were constructed by AHF to support the existing government facilities: FSP Agan and FSP Daudu, in order to accommodate growing patient numbers, and is part of AHF’s contribution towards the nation’s HIV/AIDS response and AHF’s global campaign, 20X20,” said Dr Adetayo Towolawi, AHF Nigeria Country Program Manager.

“Beyond these two structures, we also renovated the existing facilities in Agan, Agasha and Daudu, and constructed a new clinic building in General Hospital Isanlu in Kogi State; with the goal of creating conducive environments for quality service delivery,” he added.

Benue State, which is the flagship state for AHF’s operation in Nigeria, currently has a prevalence of about 15 percent, making it one of the highest in the country.

Through government support, partners such as AHF have continued to expand and provide the much needed services to the people of Benue State in various communities.

“With this excellent construction and renovation work, AHF has once again demonstrated their resolve to deliver upon its promises and beyond,” enthused Mrs Cecilia Ojabo, Benue State Commissioner of Health.

“I am glad this has become a reality and it is certainly a boost to the current administration’s resolve to better the lives of people in the state,” she added.

During the ceremony, which brought together stakeholders, traditional rulers, community leaders and members, a brief overview of AHF’s global mission and sojourn in Nigeria was shared to enlighten community members and further garner their support for AHF’s work.

“When AHF Nigeria started in Gbajimba General Hospital five years ago, the hospital was non-operational.

“Despite being a very hard-to-reach area, AHF commenced services, bringing the hospital back to life.

“Today, Gbajimba has produced four comprehensive sites – saving patients the hardship of travelling long distances to get their ARVs,” said Dr Greg Abiaziem, AHF Nigeria Regional Medical Manager and Benue State lead.

“As a global standard for AHF, we work in close partnerships with the government in the different countries we operate.

“My request to the state is continued support for the teams to enable them to deliver on our mission.

“To the community leaders, please encourage your members to utilize these facilities and take advantage of the free services we provide.

“We will continue to work closely with the government, until the war on HIV/AIDS is won,” said Dr Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief.