By Franca Ofili, News Agency of Nigeria, Abuja
The Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE (HALG), an NGO, says it has reached 1.3 million people with HIV testing services in 2025.
Dr Bartholomew Ochonye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the alliance said this in Abuja on Thursday during a news conference to commemorate the World AIDS Day coming up on Dec. 1.
Ochonye described the feat as a significant milestone in the group’s efforts to combat HIV in Nigeria.
Represented by Ms Winfred Adoh-Gompil, Financial Controller of the alliance, the CEO said that the feat was a testament to the organisation’s unwavering commitment to transforming the AIDS response in Nigeria.
”Some of the milestones from 2025: 17 HALG-supported sites certified as community clinics, 1,303,184 people reached with HIV testing services and 88,055 individuals currently on life-saving treatment.
”Also, 1,606,299 people reached with prevention services, and 22,618 survivors of gender-based violence supported with care and referral.
”Also, using innovative, eight health facilities and communities reached through drone-enabled delivery of Antiroviral drugs,” he said.
According to him, these achievements are not just numbers.
“They represent mothers who remained in care, young people who stayed HIV-negative, survivors who found safety, and families who regained hope.
”This year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response” reflects the reality we face as a country and the resolve we must bring to the work ahead.
”Over the past few years, HIV programming globally and here in Nigeria has confronted multiple disruptions.
”We have seen shrinking donor resources, competing health priorities, structural barriers within communities, and the lingering effects of economic instability,” he said.
According to him, the alliance’s community-led initiatives have been instrumental in reaching the unreached, testing and treating more people than ever before.
Ochonye said that the alliance’s work had also led to 17 HALG-supported sites being certified as community clinics, serving as beacons of hope in the fight against HIV.
”These community clinics have been crucial in providing access to quality HIV services, including prevention, testing, treatment, and ongoing care, to hundreds of thousands of people in Nigeria,” he said.
Ochonye said that the year’s commemoration also aligned qwith the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a reminder that HIV and gender-based violence are deeply intertwined.
”As we commemorate the day, we reaffirm our commitment to transforming the AIDS response in Nigeria.
”We are gathered here today because disruption does not define us, response does,” he said.
He listed Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Adamawa, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Kano, Lagos, Niger, Rivers, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Taraba, Zamfara, Yobe, and the Federal Capital Territory as states that the group was working with.
”We have continued to reach communities with the services that keep families healthy, informed, and supported.
”Through landmark initiatives such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation youth-focused programme, the ViiV Healthcare Positive Action Sexual and Reproductive Health and Harm Reduction Project for women who use and inject drugs.
”HALG has been able to reach hundreds of thousands with prevention, testing, treatment and ongoing care,” he said.
He said that the alliance had made a significant impact, providing essential services to those who need them most at the hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
AIDS: Alliance hits milestone, tests 1.3m in 2025
