Michael Olugbode in Abuja
The United States of America said it has saved more than 20 million lives, prevented millions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, and supported many countries to reach epidemic control of the virus.
This it revealed in a statement issued by United States Embassy in Nigeria yesterday, to commemorate the World AIDS Day 2021.
The statement read in part: “Through PEPFAR, the US government has saved more than 20 million lives, prevented millions of HIV infections, and supported many countries to reach epidemic control of HIV. Globally, PEPFAR has helped replace death and despair with vibrant life and hope, and tragedy with triumph.”
According to UNAIDS, AIDS-related deaths have been cut by 64 per cent since their peak in 2004, adding that new HIV infections have been reduced by 52 percent since their peak in 1997.
The statement added: “Since 2003, the US government, through PEPFAR, has invested more than $85 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response and saved more than 17 million lives, working in 54 countries.”
It explained that in Nigeria, PEPFAR had invested more than $6 billion in the national HIV/AIDS response.
The statement highlighted some measures of the success of the US government through PERFAR to include, assistance to more than 1.6 million, women, and children currently on HIV treatment in 2021 financial year alone; more than 10 million people have received HIV counselling and testing services; approximately 1.5 million pregnant women received HIV testing and counselling toward prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; more than 1.6
million people living with HIV received support to improve quality of life, including TB/HIV care services and; about 850 thousand orphans and vulnerable children received care and support services.
The statement added: “PEPFAR-supported public health, clinical, and laboratory platforms have helped Nigeria to keep Ebola virus disease, H1N1, and other deadly diseases from raging out of control – and are significantly aiding the Nigeria COVID19 response, while advancing the Nigeria HIV/AIDS response.”
“On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2021, the US Mission Nigeria recognises and honors those we have lost to HIV/AIDS and the resiliency of those who fight for epidemic control in Nigeria.
“The United States is committed to leading the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming an arsenal of vaccines for the world, and helping every country build back better. At the same time, we continue to lead global efforts to end the HIV epidemic.”
