The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that it is not leaving any stone unturned in a bid to bridge the funding gaps occasioned by the United States withdrawal of aid for malaria and TB and HIV control.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, made the disclosure on Thursday while speaking at an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
He said while the US’ decision was sudden, its impact was reduced as a result of the various measures put in place earlier by the federal government through policies and interventions.
“The changes that have occurred in the landscape which brought to this conversation, particularly the adjustment in U.S. policy, certainly it’s a major shift in U.S. government policy. When we looked at it from our side, we understood that in fact it’s an opportunity for research.
“And we appreciate the contribution of the U.S. government, the billions of dollars of U.S. government and U.S. people’s resources that helped, but the responsibility to provide for the country is on us immediately.
“And that while we appreciate what has happened in the past, now we have to look at how do we orient ourselves to improve and continue so that no Nigerian who is doing technical care will go without treatment for HIV, for instance, malaria or other conditions”, he said.
Chairman of the Committee, Amobi Godwin Ogah, in his remarks earlier said the meeting was in order to be on the same page with the ministry on the development.
“A lot of countries in Africa are struggling at this moment, so I think there is need, like we have an education fund,” he said.