The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS says it is working to address the growing shortage of anti-retroviral drugs in various health facilities in Nigeria.
The UNAIDS Country Director, Dr Bilali Camara, on Monday described the situation as an emergency. He said that UNAIDS was discussing with the Federal Ministry of Health, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and some major donors over the issue.
Camara said that the problem was caused by difficulties being encountered by Global Fund to manage its resources in the country.
Global Fund is one of the major donor agencies in Nigeria.
He said, “UNAIDS is very much concerned about the antiretroviral drugs crisis in Nigeria and it is working with Country Coordinating Mechanism to quickly address the problem.
“It is a new issue that comes up within Nigeria and Global fund relationship, we are working to rebuild their confidence and bring them back to the field.
“We also want to understand that cutting and depleting their resources hurt Nigerians.”
Camara said that the global fund was established to save lives, as such “its action is negatively affecting HIV/AIDS response in the country.”
NAN
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