By Stanley Onyekwere
In a major move to recalibrate its public health response, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday officially launched the FCT HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (FSP) 2025–2027.
Tagged the “Abuja Compact,” the N41.2 billion roadmap aims to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 by aggressively tackling stark demographic disparities, structural stigma, and a massive 98% funding gap.
The event, held at the Ajuji Hotels in Gudu, Abuja, brought together key stakeholders, civil society organizations, international development partners, and networks of People Living with HIV (PLHIV).
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Dr. Adedolape Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dan Gadzama, Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Healthcare Board, revealed that Abuja’s HIV burden has persistently remained above the national average since the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
While the FCT has achieved a 100% Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) initiation rate among identified patients, Dr. Fasawe warned against confusing “activity with victory,” exposing critical gaps in the current response:.
Also, key populations (including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs) account for 12% of new infections but remain underserved due to deep-rooted social stigma.
“If we continue business as usual, the 2030 target to end AIDS will be a mirage.
“The FSP 2025-2027 changes the rules of engagement,” Dr. Fasawe cautioned.
In a welcome address by the Project Manager FCT Agency for the Control of AIDS (FACA), Dr. Doris John, said the document represents the collective will, the rigorous analysis, and the unwavering commitment of every stakeholder in this room.
According to her, the clock is ticking towards the 2030 target to end AIDS as a public health threat.
She urged the media to help break the silence and stigma that still surrounds HIV.
She said: “Let us engage and deliberate on a renewed covenant to achieve an AIDS-free FCT by 2030.
“A roadmap is useless without travellers, we commit to being those travellers. We commit to walking the difficult road of equity, justice, and health for all residents of the FCT—from the highbrow districts of Maitama and Asokoro to the rural communities of Abaji, ,and Kuje.”
The newly unveiled strategy shifts away from traditional, donor-dependent frameworks to align with the national “Alignment 2.0” agenda, which emphasizes local ownership and community-led execution.
It was gathered that the gender gap: men and boys are slipping through the cracks, with men accounting for only 32% of adults currently on treatment.
And a staggering 98% of children requiring HIV treatment are currently left unsupported, with only 2% receiving care.
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