U.S denies stopping funding of AIDs treatment in Nigeria

United States on Monday denied it has stopped the
funding of AIDS treatment in Nigeria.
The U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle in
Abuja said American government will continue to focus
its attention to areas with the greatest HIV burden and
will support most effective interventions.
Entwistle, who disclosed this during the 35th World AIDS
Day, however tasked Nigerian government to increase its
contribution to the partnership.
He said: “Contrary to some recent media reports, the
United States is not stopping the President’s Emergency
Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding to Nigeria.

We do
anticipate some reduction in the overall budget. We will
continue to focus our services in areas with the greatest
HIV burden and will support the most effective
interventions.

“Our continued commitment to support the Nigerian
government and its people remains strong. Indeed, as
we are discussing with the new Nigerian administration,
we think it important that the contribution of your
government to our joint health partnership increase.”

While insisting that the time to act is now, Entwistle said
“Achieving our goals to end HIV/AIDS will not be easy.
To reach them, we all must share responsibility and
strengthen our efforts. Working in partnership, we have
come a very long way since the worst days of the
epidemic, but the work is far from done.”

PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to
combat a single disease.  Through PEPFAR, the U.S.
government has committed nearly $65 billion to support
the HIV/AIDS response globally.