[highlight]President Goodluck Jonathan has said Government is working on a new blueprint for the eradication of HIV/AIDS in the country.[/highlight]
President Jonathan was speaking to Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the United Nations’ Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, at State House, Monday.
“I have instructed the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) to produce a new blueprint for the eradication of AIDS, with necessary milestones, clearly defined responsibilities of all stakeholders and expected results’, he stated, adding that a multi-faceted approach to eradicate malaria was also receiving attention.
President Jonathan said Nigeria appreciated the huge investments by the international community, especially the G-8 nations, in the fight against these diseases, and assured Dr. Dybul that the country is totally committed to making sure that things go right in the health sector. He also stressed Nigeria’s readiness to continue to collaborate with the Global Fund.
President Jonathan further restated his commitment to ensuring the eradication of polio from Nigeria by 2015.
President Jonathan welcomed the invitation to be a Co-Chair, representing Africa, in the next replenishment cycle of the Global Fund, describing this as ‘an honour’ to Nigeria. Other Co-Chairs are the UN Secretary General, one leader each from the G-8, the BRICS nations and the private sector.
In his comments, Dr Dybul, said the Global Fund was interested in strengthening the partnership with Nigeria, in order to further develop the health care sector in the country. He expressed appreciation for the leadership of President Jonathan for the health sector, and his support for the activities of the Global Fund in Nigeria.
The Global Fund Executive Director was accompanied to the State House by Dr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Friends of Africa.
