The two-day Biannual Stakeholder Engagement meeting organized by U.S. CDC Nigeria concluded with a review of the progress made in state-led HIV response initiatives. During the presentations, stakeholders from the states implementing The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-funded HIV programs in Nigeria, including Abia and Imo States, showcased their efforts in combating HIV/AIDS within their respective regions.
Of notable importance was a panel discussion featuring Honorable Commissioners for Health from Abia, Delta, Enugu, Gombe, and Nasarawa States. The discussion delved into state health scorecards, revealing Abia state's commendable 15% budget allocation for health, a significant indicator of its commitment to tackling public health challenges.
Joining the panel, the Chief of Party of Caritas Nigeria's ACCESS project, Dr. John Oko, highlighted strategies deployed by the organization to engage stakeholders in enhancing HIV care, treatment, and support services in our project states of Abia, Enugu, and Imo.
Dr. Oko's contributions underscored the significance of fostering cooperation between governmental bodies, non-profit organizations, and local communities to address the multifaceted challenges posed by HIV/AIDS.
Meanwhile, a certificate of recognition was presented to Oluwaseun Akinlulero for the best oral abstract presentation on Global Health Security and System strengthening.
