To establish a reliable transition strategy following the gradual withdrawal of international donor funding from APIN Public Health Initiatives, the Benue State Government has collaborated with health sector stakeholders to form a seven-man technical team dedicated to health programme sustainability.
This action comes as international donor funding for the APIN Public Health Initiatives (formerly the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria) gradually winds down interventions in the State.
The newly designated technical team to be headed by the honourable commissioner for Health and Human Services is charged to review the sustainability gaps, prioritise critical interventions, identify financing opportunities and develop a realistic, costed action plan within seven days of this meeting, for submission through my office and presentation at the next State Executive Council meeting for consideration.
Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber announced this during the APIN State programme and sustainability performance scorecard review meeting held in Makurdi, at the weekend.
She maintained that the team shall comprise representatives of the Ministry of Health, Office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning Commission, Benue State Bureau for international Cooperation and Development (BICD), State Health Insurance Agency and APIN Public Health Initiatives and Benue state investment promotion agency.
Misses Aber commended APIN for demonstrating purposeful development cooperation, stating that over 183,000 people receiving HIV treatment through supported services across 264 health facilities, alongside significant investments in laboratory infrastructure, healthcare personnel and treatment outcome.
The SSG emphasised the need for Benue State to strengthen domestic financing, integrate successful health interventions into government systems and protect essential healthcare services from disruptions arising from changes in funding arrangements.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with APIN and other development partners to sustain the progress recorded in the health sector, stressing that no patient should be denied life-saving treatment because of funding challenges.
Misses Aber also acknowledged APIN’s contributions to HIV/AIDS interventions in the state, noting the importance of sustaining the achievements recorded through its programmes.
Speaking at the event, State Programme Lead of APIN Public Health Initiatives, Mr. Enebi Achimogu, disclosed that the organisation was currently providing HIV/AIDS care services to more than 197,000 people in Benue State.
Mr. Achimogu explained that the services included the provision of antiretroviral drugs and other essential HIV/AIDS care interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of people living with the virus.
He said APIN, with funding support from the United States Government, had invested significantly in the programme over the years, contributing to improved access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care across the state.
He however, noted that funding for the programme had reduced, making it necessary for the state government to begin preparations to assume greater responsibility for sustaining the services and protecting the gains achieved.
The APIN programme lead urged the Benue State Government to commence implementation of the State Health Insurance Scheme as part of a long-term sustainability strategy, explaining that the initiative would help residents access healthcare services and reduce the financial burden of medical treatment.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Paul Ogwuche, said interventions by APIN Public Health Initiatives and other development partners had significantly contributed to improving the lives of people living with HIV in the state.
Dr. Ogwuche said the state government recognised the importance of sustaining the programme and was already developing strategies to retain its workforce and maintain the essential services currently being delivered through the intervention.
He stressed the need for effective collaboration between the government and development partners to ensure continuity of care and prevent disruptions to treatment as funding arrangements change.
The administration of Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia recognises the importance of sustaining the programme’s achievements and is already developing strategies to retain its workforce and maintain the essential services currently provided through the intervention.
The performance review provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the programme’s achievements, identify sustainability challenges and develop strategies to strengthen government ownership and financing of HIV/AIDS services in Benue State.
What You Should Know
International donor funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and healthcare support in Benue State is winding down, threatening the continuity of life-saving medical services currently provided to nearly 200,000 residents across hundreds of health facilities. In response, the state government has stepped up to create a dedicated transition committee charged with finding local financing options and building domestic ownership to prevent treatment disruptions.
- Positive Impact: The state government’s proactive approach aims to protect vulnerable patients from losing access to essential antiretroviral drugs and medical care, ensuring that healthcare delivery remains stable despite declining foreign aid.
- Potential Concerns: The sudden reduction in donor support poses a significant financial strain on state resources, raising questions about whether local funding and the state health insurance scheme can fully cover the massive costs required to sustain the current workforce and medical infrastructure.
