AHF Seeks Greater Health Sector Investment in Benue, Unveils Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, has appealed to the Benue State House of Assembly to advocate for increased budgetary allocation to the health sector to enable the state tackle cases of tuberculosis and HIV.

The Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, Steve Aborisade, made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga, in Makurdi on Wednesday.
Aborisade, who was accompanied by other officials of the organization, expressed concern over dwindling donor funding, noting that failure to look inward for resources could threaten the gains already recorded in the fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the state.
He also disclosed plans by the organization to commence the administration of Lenacapavir (LEN), a long-acting injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) designed to prevent HIV infection.
According to him, the drug has already been launched in Benue State, while arrangements are ongoing to train health workers who will administer the injection.
Aborisade explained that the introduction of Lenacapavir represents a major breakthrough in HIV prevention, particularly among individuals at high risk of infection.
He stated that the injection requires only two doses annually and has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission.
He stressed that although significant progress has been achieved in reducing HIV prevalence and preventing mother-to-child transmission, sustaining those gains would require stronger financial commitment from government and local stakeholders.
Aborisade noted that AHF’s interventions in Benue have contributed significantly to ensuring that babies born to HIV-positive mothers are delivered free of the virus, describing the programme as one of the success stories in the state’s health sector.
According to him, “Every day in our clinics, children are born HIV-free despite their mothers being positive. This shows that the treatment and preventive measures are working effectively.”
He further explained that the newly introduced Lenacapavir injection provides additional protection, especially for HIV-negative individuals whose partners are living with the virus.
“If an HIV-negative woman whose husband is HIV-positive takes the injection twice a year, her chances of contracting HIV are significantly reduced. We are making progress, but we are worried because donor funding is shrinking,” he said.
Aborisade observed that with the withdrawal of international donors, local authorities must rise to the challenge of providing alternative sources of funding if years of progress in HIV control are to be sustained and improved.
Recalling discussions at a national conference on resource mobilisation held in Abuja last year, where stakeholders emphasized the need for governments and private individuals to increase domestic investments in healthcare, Aborisade urged lawmakers to champion increased funding for health programmes, particularly those targeting HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, which often occur together and continue to pose serious public health challenges.
Responding, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Alfred Emberga, described the advocacy visit as timely and beneficial to the wellbeing of residents of the state.
Emberga acknowledged the critical role of the legislature in budgetary matters and pledged to engage the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on the request for additional funding.
He noted that the Governor is passionate about the wellbeing and health of citizens and has demonstrated this commitment through the implementation of policies and programmes aimed at addressing health challenges across the state.
While observing that implementation of the state’s 2026 budget had already reached the mid-year stage, the Speaker expressed confidence that the Governor would support efforts aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving public health outcomes across Benue State.