The United States government on Sunday said it was not withdrawing from funding HIV/AIDS programmes in Nigeria.
The clarification came amid reports that the US government has hinted of its resolve to withdraw from funding HIV / AIDS in the country implemented through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In a statement to THISDAY, US Embassy official, Sean McIntosh, said while the US commended the recognition of the American effort to assist in fighting the HIV pandemic, saying the reports that the US was withdrawing from funding did not reflect the current situation.
McIntosh said though the US appreciated Nigeria’s recognition “on the contributions of the PEPFAR in your November 13, 2014 edition. However, reports that the United States is withdrawing funding of its AIDS-related programs are quite inaccurate.” He explained that “the US contribution to Nigeria’s National HIV Response has maintained a level of close to half a billion dollars from 2012 to 2015, with an expectation to continue through 2016.
“Although we may periodically review funding strategies, we have not reduced PEPFAR funding for Nigeria.”
