The Federal Government has refuted claims by the World Health Organization (WHO) that Nigeria is facing a shortage of essential HIV medications. Speaking to journalists after the Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Abuja, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, assured that Nigeria has sufficient HIV drugs in its warehouses and is actively addressing procurement needs.
Prof. Pate stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided the necessary resources to bridge the gap created by recent funding cuts from the United States. He emphasized that the government is working to ensure uninterrupted access to HIV medications through direct and emergency procurement processes.
In addition to addressing HIV medication supplies, Prof. Pate highlighted the government’s efforts to expand primary healthcare services and strengthen health security through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The minister’s assurances aim to allay fears and reassure Nigerians that the government is committed to maintaining an adequate supply of essential medications and improving healthcare delivery across the country.
