By Terfa Naswem
Rt. Hon. Mrs Dorothy Mato, a member of the House of Representatives
representing Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency of Benue State
has commended the Government of the United States for its significant
impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
In a statement issued through her media department on Friday, December
22, 2017, Hon Mato said the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission
(PMTCT) programme of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS
Relief (PEPFAR) in partnership with the government of Nigeria has
yielded commendable results. Since 2004, the PEPFAR Programme has
committed more than $1.5 billion to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria alone
and more than $18.8 billion worldwide to fight the disease. These
funds have been used in part to support programmes to prevent
mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to provide early infant
diagnosis and treatment. Through implementing partners like the
Institute for Human Virology, Nigeria, PMTCT programmes have assisted
Nigerian women during more than 1.5 million pregnancies.
She said the PEPFAR has achieved encouraging results, such as free
diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment for people infected with HIV
(including pregnant women); community outreach for HIV awareness and
Prevention; and care and support to children orphaned by AIDS, as well
as other vulnerable children. In addition, it has provided diagnosis
and treatment of TB to HIV positive individuals. Equally important,
the programme has supported Nigeria in critical areas of human
capacity development, policy development, and strengthening health
systems capacity and effectiveness.
Rep Mato applauded the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington
and the U.S. Mission, Nigeria for serving as the mediator between the
U.S. Government and Nigeria in effective promotion of ties between
Nigeria and the U.S. through mutual understanding.
She calls on Nigerians to appreciate the U.S. for its impact on
Nigeria and globally in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She also urges the
U.S. to continue to support Nigeria in critical areas that define our
existence as a nation so that we will be able to revitalize our
political, economic, education, and health systems for local, national
and international progress.