the National Agency for the Control of
AIDS (NACA), with financial support
from the United States Government
through the U.S. President’s
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
(PEPFAR). Technical guidance from
the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention was provided throughout
the survey.
On Thursday, March 14, 2019, in a very
colorful and educational ceremony,
His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari,
President of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria, formally announced the
findings of the survey, marking the
start of the dissemination of NAIIS
results. The President enthusiastically
welcomed the news that Nigeria had
fewer people living with HIV than
previously estimated. He also took
this opportunity to launch the Revised
National HIV and AIDS Strategic
Framework 2019-2021, which forms
the future response to the country’s
epidemic. The new national HIV
prevalence measure is 1.4% and is more
accurate than previous estimates, as it
is based on an expanded population-
based household surveillance system
and a revised methodology.
Commenting on the survey results U.S.
Embassy Charge’ d’Affaires, David J.
Young, said, “The Nigeria HIV/AIDS
Indicator and Impact Survey represents
an extraordinary example of what can
be achieved by working together.” He
also said, “The US Government looks
forward to increased Government of
Nigeria ownership and investment
in the HIV response to ensure
sustainability.”
The Charge’ commended the amazing
commitment of field workers whether
it was in the creeks of the South-South,
the mountainous terrains in the North-
Central, enduring the dusty weather of
the semi-arid North-East, navigating
treacherous rivers or dense mangroves
in the South-West and the South-East,
or traveling to the farthest distances
of the North-West; he said, “individual
sacrifices were made and long hours
worked with the goal of improving
the health of Nigerians. Survey staff
traveled over difficult roads, slept
in highly challenging locations,
and encountered life-threatening
situations, all in their quest to ensure
the government of Nigeria has accurate
data that can be used to achieve HIV/
AIDS epidemic control in Nigeria”.
In his remarks, the CDC Nigeria
Country Director, Dr. Mahesh
Swaminathan, said, “NAIIS provides
Nigeria and partners with accurate
data, including HIV prevalence, viral
load suppression, and the impact
of preventing mother-to-child
transmission services.” He added,
“CDC is proud to partner with the
government of Nigeria and others to
complete the survey. The encouraging
results presented, along with ongoing
monitoring and evaluation data will
help the Government of Nigeria to
intensify efforts in the fight against
HIV/AIDS to achieve epidemic control.”
Since 2004, the US Government,
through PEPFAR has invested
approximately 5 billion US dollars in
supporting Nigeria to achieve HIV
epidemic control, including 70 million
US dollars to support the conduct of the
Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact
Survey (NAIIS).
Dignitaries including Dr. Sani Aliyu, DG of NACA (2nd left), Muhammadu Buhari, president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (4th from left), Dr. Isaac Adewole, Health
minister (centre) and David Young, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Mission, Nigeria (far right) gather for a photo during the presentation of the NAISS results
CROSSROADS | April/May 2019
15