We’re winning the HIV/AIDS war, say Jonathan, Ki Moon

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed optimism that Nigeria is committed to the elimination of HIV/AIDS by year 2030 in line with the resolution of the African Union during a summit held last year in Abuja.

Also, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, has expressed optimism that the world is winning the war against HIV/AIDS.

Though Jonathan admitted that HIV/AIDS remained a threat to the achievement of the government’s Transformation Agenda, he said Nigeria was winning the war against the pandemic.

The President, represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this on Sunday at Bwari Area Council Secretariat in Abuja as Nigeria joined the world to celebrate the 2013 World AIDS Day. The day is observed on December 1, every year to universally reflect on the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Getting to Zero: Know your HIV status.”

Jonathan said, “Progress is being made in Africa towards halting and reversing HIV as there is data to show that new HIV infections are reducing, more people are accessing treatment and there are fewer AIDS related deaths. I use this opportunity to reiterate that the African Union member countries have resolved to eliminate HIV/AIDS in Africa by the year 2030.”

While calling on the state governors and the private sector to support in the mobilization of fund for the implementation of the Comprehensive Response Plan for HIV and related infectious diseases, Jonathan urged Nigerians to know their HIV status as a first step towards securing their future.

Ki Moon in his World AIDS Day message said, “There are significant decreases in new infections and deaths, and we are making good progress in realizing our target of ensuring 15 million people have access to antiretroviral treatment by 2015.  This is crucial to halting and reversing the AIDS epidemic for good.

“But, as revealed in the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report for 2013, there are still worrying signals that some regions and countries are falling behind.  We are making advances in reaching vulnerable populations through efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination, but there is still much to do to end this problem.   We must recommit to breaking the remaining barriers, including punitive laws and social exclusion, so we can reach all people who lack access to HIV treatment and services.”

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