AHF Seeks Increased Health Funding in Benue

By Anan Geolengs

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has called on the Benue State House of Assembly to increase budgetary allocation to health, warning that dwindling donor support threatens gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

AHF Nigeria’s Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, made the call during an advocacy visit to Speaker Alfred Emberga in Makurdi on Wednesday evening. He was accompanied by other AHF officials.

Aborisade also announced plans to begin administering lenacapavir (LEN), a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that prevents HIV infection. He said the drug has been launched in Benue and training for health workers is underway.

He described lenacapavir as a major breakthrough, especially for people at high risk. The injection requires only two doses per year and has shown strong effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission.

While acknowledging progress in reducing HIV prevalence and mother-to-child transmission, Aborisade said sustaining the gains will require stronger financial commitment from government and local stakeholders.

“AHF’s interventions in Benue have ensured babies born to HIV-positive mothers are delivered free of the virus. That’s one of the success stories in the state’s health sector,” he said.

“Every day in our clinics, children are born HIV-free despite their mothers being positive. This shows treatment and preventive measures are working,” he added.

He explained that lenacapavir offers extra protection for HIV-negative individuals with HIV-positive partners.

“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’re making progress, but donor funding is shrinking,” he stated.

Aborisade said with international donors pulling out, local authorities must find alternative funding to sustain and improve years of progress in HIV control. He referenced a 2025 national conference on resource mobilization in Abuja where stakeholders stressed the need for increased domestic investment in healthcare.

He urged lawmakers to champion more funding for health programmes, especially those targeting HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, which often occur together and remain major public health threats.

Responding, Speaker Emberga described the advocacy as timely and beneficial to residents. He acknowledged the legislature’s role in budget matters and pledged to consult Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia on additional funding.

Emberga said the Governor has shown commitment to citizens’ health through policies and programmes addressing health challenges.

Though the 2026 budget is at mid-year implementation, the Speaker expressed confidence that the Governor would support efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve public health outcomes in Benue.