Benue Moves to Sustain HIV Services as APIN Donor Funding Winds Down

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has constituted a seven-man technical team to develop a sustainability plan for HIV/AIDS treatment and care services as international donor funding for APIN Public Health Initiatives gradually winds down.

The move is aimed at safeguarding access to essential healthcare services for more than 197,000 people living with HIV in the state and preventing disruptions to treatment following changes in funding arrangements.

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

Aber said the technical team, to be chaired by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, would review existing sustainability gaps, prioritise critical interventions, identify financing opportunities and develop a costed action plan within seven days.

She explained that the plan would be submitted through her office for presentation at the next State Executive Council meeting for consideration.

The team comprises 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, State Health Insurance Agency, APIN Public Health Initiatives and Benue State Investment Promotion Agency.

The SSG commended APIN for its contributions to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in the state, noting that its interventions had supported more than 183,000 people receiving HIV treatment across 264 health facilities.

She also acknowledged the organisation’s investments in laboratory infrastructure, healthcare personnel and improved treatment outcomes, describing its interventions as an important contribution to the state’s healthcare delivery system.

Aber stressed the need for Benue to strengthen domestic financing, integrate successful health interventions into government systems and protect essential services from disruptions arising from changes in donor funding.

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

Speaking at the meeting, APIN State Programme Lead, Mr. Enebi Achimogu, disclosed that the organisation was currently providing HIV/AIDS care services to more than 197,000 people in Benue State.

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 HIV/AIDS programmes over the years, helping to expand access to treatment and care across the state.

However, he noted that the reduction in programme funding had made it necessary for the state government to prepare to assume greater responsibility for sustaining the services and protecting the gains already achieved.

The APIN programme lead urged the government to commence implementation of the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme as part of its long-term sustainability strategy.

According to him, an effective health insurance system would improve access to healthcare services and reduce the financial burden of medical treatment on residents.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, said interventions by APIN and other development partners had significantly improved the lives of people living with HIV in the state.

Ogwuche said the state government recognised the importance of sustaining the programme’s achievements and was developing strategies to retain its workforce and maintain essential services currently delivered through the intervention.

He emphasised the need for continued collaboration between the government and development partners to guarantee uninterrupted access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care as funding arrangements change.

The review meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the programme’s achievements, identify sustainability challenges and explore strategies for strengthening government ownership and domestic financing of HIV/AIDS services in Benue State.