US endorses HIV treatment aid waiver for Nigeria, 54 other countries

An "emergency humanitarian waiver" has been authorised by the US government to facilitate US-funded HIV treatment in 55 nations, including Nigeria. 

In a recent executive order on foreign aid, US President Donald Trump ordered a halt to financing for HIV treatment in underdeveloped nations. 

Consequently, the US Department of State halted the distribution of PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) money. 

More than 20 million people with HIV in Nigeria and around the world, including 566,000 children under the age of 15, are receiving treatment from PEPFAR.

However, the United States government accepted a waiver that permits individuals living with HIV to continue receiving treatment, according to a statement released by the joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS on Wednesday. 

“UNAIDS welcomes this waiver from the US government which ensures that millions of people living with HIV can continue to receive life-saving HIV medication during the assessment of US foreign development assistance,” the statement reads.

“This urgent decision recognises PEPFAR’s critical role in the AIDS response and restores hope to people living with HIV.”

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) spokesperson, Toyin Aderibigbe, responded to the news by saying that Nigeria is grateful for the US government's waiver and is aware that the incoming administration may soon make changes to foreign aid.

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