Nigeria’s HIV care is facing fresh challenges as funding shortfalls have left key diagnostic tests uncovered, forcing patients to pay out of pocket and raising fears of declining treatment standards.
Experts say while donor agencies continue to support antiretroviral drugs, vital monitoring tests such as CD4 counts, resistance checks, and liver function screenings have been excluded.
At a press briefing in Lagos, Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Dr. Agatha David, warned that the gaps could undermine years of progress in the country’s HIV response.
“Patients may remain on failing treatment without knowing it because the required tests are no longer readily available. This increases the risk of resistance and worsens health outcomes,” she said.
Nigeria has about 1.9 million people living with HIV.
Stakeholders fear that the withdrawal of donor support for diagnostics will hit vulnerable groups, including young people, the hardest.
David urged the Federal Government to expand local funding and explore domestic production of HIV drugs to reduce dependence on international partners.
Public health advocates have cautioned that unless urgent steps are taken, Nigeria may struggle to meet the UNAIDS 2030 targets of ensuring 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those are on treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
