UNAIDS Calls for Continuation of Essential HIV Services While US Global Funding is Paused

By: Michael Mike

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has called for a continuation of all essential HIV services while the United States pauses its funding for foreign aid.

The UNAIDS had on 29 January welcome the news that United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had approved an “Emergency Humanitarian Waiver,” allowing people to continue accessing lifesaving HIV treatment funded by the U.S. in 55 countries worldwide.

More than 20 million people – two-thirds of all people living with HIV accessing HIV treatment globally – are directly supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The statement at the weekend by UNAIDS, said: “While continuity of HIV treatment is essential, services must continue to be monitored, and oversight provided for quality. Other critical HIV services for people, especially marginalized people including children, women, and key populations, must continue. Last year, PEPFAR provided over 83.8 million people with critical HIV testing services; reached 2.3 million adolescent girls and young women with HIV prevention services; 6.6 million orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers received HIV care and support; and 2.5 million people were newly enrolled on pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection.

“Since PEPFAR was created, the United States has been steadfast in its leadership in the fight against HIV. The U.S. has saved millions of lives through its programmes, particularly in the countries most affected by HIV. PEPFAR has had remarkable results in stopping new infections and expanding access to HIV treatment – and this must continue.

“Globally, there are 1.3 million people that are newly infected with HIV every year, 3,500 every day. Young women and girls in Africa are at alarming high risk of HIV, where 3,100 young women and girls aged 15 to 24 years become infected with HIV every week and at least half of all people from key populations are not being reached with prevention services.

“Pregnant women in high HIV prevalent areas must be tested for HIV to determine whether they are living with HIV so they can protect their baby by taking antiretroviral therapy prior to birth. As a result, babies will be born HIV-free.

The statement lamented that many organisations providing services for people living with HIV that are funded, or partly funded, by PEPFAR have reported they will shut their doors due to the funding pause with lack of clarity and great uncertainty about the future, stating that UNAIDS is evaluating the impact and will provide routine and real-time updates to share the latest global and country information, data, guidance, and references.

Executive Director at National Forum of People Living with HIV Network Uganda (NAFOPHANU), Flavia Kyomukama, said: “PEPFAR gave us hope and now the executive order is shattering the very hope it offered for all people living with HIV and our families. As communities we are in shock with the continued closure of clinics. We resolutely demand that all our governments come in haste to fill the gap in human resources needed at the moment to ensure sustainability of HIV service delivery.”

Zimbabwe`s umbrella network of people living with HIV (ZNNP+) stated that the implementation of stop work orders has led to significant fears, including reduced access to essential services, loss of community trust and long-term health outcomes.

The statement said as the waiver is effective for a review period of all U.S. foreign development assistance, future coverage of HIV services – including for treatment – remains unclear and the lives of the millions of people supported by PEPFAR are in jeopardy and could be at stake.

Anele Yawa, General Secretary for the Treatment Action Campaign is worried, noting that: “The PEPFAR-fund freeze will take South Africa and the world back in terms of the gains we have made in our response to HIV,” he said. “We are asking ourselves how are we going to cope in the next three months as people are going to be left behind in terms of prevention, treatment and care.”

The statement added that at a moment when the world can finally get the upper hand on one of the world’s deadliest pandemics, aided by new long-acting HIV prevention and treatment medicines coming to market this year, UNAIDS urges the U.S. to continue its unparalleled leadership and accelerate, not diminish, efforts to end AIDS.

Ut further said UNAIDS looks forward to partnering with the United States, other donors and countries most affected by HIV to ensure a robust and sustainable response to HIV and to achieve our collective goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

UNAIDS Calls for Continuation of Essential HIV Services While US Global Funding is Paused

Yobe: Hon. Suleiman expresses gratitude to colleagues for attending his son’s wedding.

By: Yahaya Wakili

Hon. Yakubu Suleiman, member representing Fika/Ngalda in the Yobe State House of Assembly, expresses his unquantifiable gratitude to Almighty Allah (SWT), who in His Mercy made everything possible and successful for the wedding fatiha of his son Adamu Yakubu Suleiman and Khadija Shuaibu Ali on Saturday, 1st. February, 2025.

“My enormous gratitude goes to my colleagues, members of the Yobe State House of Assembly, and thousands of people who trooped en masse to witness the wedding ceremony.

He also expressed his deepest heartfelt gratitude to the Executive Chairman of the Fika local government council, Hon. Abdu Bukar Gadaka, and those who traveled far and near distances to attend the ceremony; I thank them so much. Alhamdulillah.

Hon. Yakubu Suleiman further said some, who out of their tight schedules, especially my colleagues and my friends, could not attend but sent in a generous message, I am most grateful to, and to those who called and joined us in prayers and sent in best wishes, I am really grateful to you all, he prays.

The wedding ceremony, which took place at the opposite of Yobe Flour and Feed Mills Potiskum, was conducted by Imam Mallam Ibrahim after the presentation of the certificate of fitness of both the groom and bride.

The marriage was solemnized by Imam Mallam Ibrahim, who gave out the marriage and announced the sum of #200,000 cash in hand as a dowry to Khadija Shuaibu Ali.

Hon. Yakubu Suleiman, the father of the groom, advised the couple to be guided by the teaching of Prophet Muhammadu (SWT) in their matrimonial home, as well as to live in peace with one another, and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to bless them with children. Ameen.

Yobe: Hon. Suleiman expresses gratitude to colleagues for attending his son’s wedding.

Boko Haram: Zulum Donates N30m for Purchase of House to Family of Slain Army Officer

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has donated N30 million cash to the family of the late Army Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Alari, who recently lost his life in the ongoing battle against Boko Haram insurgents in the Timbuktu Triangle.

The donation, which was made personally to the wife of the late officer by the Governor on Saturday in Maiduguri, is to enable the family buy a house

The governor while extending his condolences to the family of the late soldier and all others who lost their lives fighting to restore peace in Borno State, said: “Yesterday, we sent a high-level state government delegation to the funeral. However, I felt the need to personally extend my condolences on behalf of the government and people of the state.”

He added: “Let me also extend my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the cause of the fight against terrorism in Borno and all parts of the northeast.”

“We are also presenting a token donation of N30m for his immediate family to purchase a house because I was told that Lt Col Alari doesn’t own a personal house. I want to assure you that apart from this, we will continue to offer support to you and the families of our fallen heroes who have put their lives in defence of our country.” Zulum stated.

The presentation was made in the presence of the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Waidi Shuaibu, Sector 2 Commander, and Major General Chieiebere Ejike. Also present are Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and House of Representatives members Engr Bukar Talba and Ahmed Jaha.

Other State Government officials who attended the presentation include the Deputy Chief of Staff, Engr. Babagana Malumbe; Commissioners; Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mustapha Ali Busuguma; Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Brigadier Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq (Rtd); and Chairman of Damboa Local Government, Ali Kauji among other senior officers.

Boko Haram: Zulum Donates N30m for Purchase of House to Family of Slain Army Officer