By Alice Etuka, Abuja
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) Country Director, Dr. Mary Boyd has expressed optimism that Nigeria would end HIV as a public health threat by 2030, reach zero-dose children, and strengthen its ability to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats.
This is according to a statement issued by the organisation on Wednesday, April 17, 2023.
Boyd spoke at the USCDC ‘s fourth Biannual Stakeholder Engagement Meeting held in Abuja with the theme, “Improving public health programs through science.”
Highlighting activities at the two- day program, the statement said,
“Opening day provided state-HIV programs and partners a platform to share their scientific work. Overall, 35 posters and 9 oral abstracts were presented, highlighting the importance of evidence-based program design and implementation.
“The day concluded with select presenters and projects being honored for their scientific contributions by Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas the Special Adviser to the President for Health.
“Presentations and panels on day two focused on strengthening collaborations for effective public health programs. Speakers highlighted the vital role state ministries of health play in achieving sustainable outbreak responses, immunization systems, and HIV programs. Discussions focused on improving health outcomes and achieving HIV epidemic control at the sub-national level”.
At the meeting, Dr. Boyd expressed her enthusiasm for the scientific work being done in Nigeria and thanked state and implementing partners for their willingness to ask question and follow the science.
She further hinted that, “Nigeria will end HIV as a public health threat by 2030, reach zero-dose children, and strengthen its ability to prevent, detect, and respond to disease threats”.
The meeting was part of the U.S. CDC’s commitment to regularly review and adapt programming to meet the needs of the HIV response in Nigeria. The next meeting will be in October 2024.
