Benue to Sustain HIV Care for 197,000 Patients As Donor Funding Declines

At least 197,000 people receiving HIV/AIDS care in Benue State face funding uncertainty following a decline in international donor support for APIN Public Health Initiatives, prompting the state government to set up a seven-member technical team to develop a sustainability plan.

The team, chaired by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, would be expected to identify funding gaps, prioritise critical interventions and develop a costed action plan to ensure uninterrupted access to treatment and other essential healthcare services.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Deborah Aber, disclosed the constitution of the team at the APIN State Programme and Sustainability Performance Scorecard Review Meeting held in Makurdi.

She directed the team to complete its assignment within seven days and submit its recommendations for presentation to the next State Executive Council meeting for consideration.

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Aber said the team would comprise representatives of the Ministry of Health and Human Services, Office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Benue State Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, State Health Insurance Agency, APIN Public Health Initiatives and the state’s investment promotion agency.

She said the state must strengthen domestic financing, integrate successful health interventions into government systems and protect essential services from disruptions arising from changes in donor funding.

The SSG commended APIN for its contributions to HIV/AIDS interventions, including support for more than 183,000 people receiving treatment through 264 health facilities, alongside investments in laboratory infrastructure, healthcare personnel and improved treatment outcomes.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with APIN and other development partners to sustain the gains recorded in the health sector, stressing that no patient should be denied life-saving treatment because of funding challenges.

Earlier, the State Programme Lead of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Enebi Achimogu, disclosed that the organisation was providing HIV/AIDS care services to more than 197,000 people in Benue.

Achimogu said the services included the provision of antiretroviral drugs and other essential interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of people living with HIV.

He explained that APIN, with funding support from the United States Government, had invested significantly in expanding access to HIV treatment and care across the state.

However, he noted that the reduction in funding had made it imperative for the state government to assume greater responsibility for sustaining the programme and protecting the achievements recorded over the years.

Achimogu urged the government to commence implementation of the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as a long-term strategy to expand access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on residents.

In his remarks, the health commissioner, Ogwuche said interventions by APIN and other development partners had noticeably improved the lives of people living with HIV in the state.

He said the Governor Hyacinth Alia administration was developing strategies to retain the programme’s workforce and maintain essential services as funding arrangements changed.

The commissioner stressed the need for sustained collaboration between the state government and development partners to prevent disruptions to HIV treatment and care.