The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has refuted claims circulating on social media regarding the withdrawal of subsidies for Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, describing the information as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director-General of NACA, clarified that HIV treatment in Nigeria remains free of charge at government-approved health facilities. She dismissed the claim that ARV drugs would now cost N250,000 per dose, with patients required to pay N500,000 monthly, as completely untrue.
“We want to categorically state that HIV treatment in Nigeria remains free of charge at government-approved health facilities. We give thanks to donor agencies, including the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund, and other development partners for their continued support,” Ilori said.
She emphasized that there has been no withdrawal of funding or support from the US Government, USAID, or the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding HIV treatment in Nigeria.
Ilori reaffirmed NACA’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to HIV treatment and urged the public to disregard the misinformation. She cautioned against the spread of unverified information, which can cause unnecessary fear and hinder efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.
“We encourage Nigerians to rely on verified sources for health-related information. NACA remains committed to ensuring that no person living with HIV is denied access to life-saving treatment due to misinformation or fear,” she added.
The Director-General encouraged the public to visit NACA’s official website or follow its verified social media platforms for accurate and up-to-date information on HIV treatment and prevention.
