United States government never said it would cut funding for HIV/AIDS programmes in Nigeria on account of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act signed into law, the US ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, has said.
In comments to clarify statements he made this Monday, Entwistle noted that subsequent reporting of his remark has suggested possible cut in US funding. “This is not the case,” said Entwistle Wednesday at the screening of Shuga, a serial drama produced by MTV Base to address HIV issues in the country.
“Let me clear: our commitment, our pledge to support the HIV/AIDS fight in this country is unwavering. What I did say was that we, and I imagine all HIV/AIDS donors will have to watch carefully how this bill is implemented and enforced with an eye toward its potential effect on HIV programmes here.”
There are fears people involved in same-sex relations and carrying HIV are unable to access HIV services and drugs.
US spending on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has exceeded $3.4 billion in the last 10 ten years, and another $500 million is expected to be spent this year.
But the US expects “much more support from Nigeria”, including increased local funding, to achieve an aids-free generation.
“We are confident that over the coming years, your government will take a more prominent financial role in the fight against HIV/AIDS in this country, as it has committed itself to doing.”
The ambassador praised the influence of programmes like Shuga to enable youth understand the threat of HIV, noting that it allowed communication of basic facts and dispelled stigma “in a way that speaks with youth, rather than at them.”
The eight-episode Shuga, screened with support from National Agency for AIDS Control (NACA) is expected to morph into a radio serial, and online tie-ins are in the works.
Social media, pop music and a constant message of prevention and life after the virus are heavily woven into its plot.
“We have insisted treatment is important but prevention is certainly better, and this is just one of the newer media that people are beginning to explore in terms of health education,” said health minister Onyebuchi Chukwu at the screening.
A national survey showed HIV prevalence of three percent among young people aged 15 to 19 years, and up to 5.4% among 25-29-year-olds.
Those aged up to 34 years had even higher prevalence.
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