Abuja: Nigeria and the United States will
soon sign an agreement to enable the oil rich African country have access to technical assistance needed to step up the
crusade against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The leader of the US delegation, James Patrick said
the anticipated framework agreement will provide technical
support and drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS to decrease
the incidence of the scourge.
"The document when signed will support Nigeria`s
National Health Strategic Development Plan which will enable
Nigeria attains the Millennium Development Goals." Patrick
stated.
He said the accord will help in shoring up the
country`s strategic health development plan from 2010-2015
which will protect the vulnerable population especially women
and children.
Nigeria`s health minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu
said both countries have met to reiterate their commitment
towards combating the HIV/AIDS scourge in the country.
"Nigeria is to provide leadership for HIV/AIDS
response activities and coordination and also to increase
Government funding from 7 per cent to 50 per cent for the
control of the disease." Chukwu said.
Nigeria which has a population of 150 million has the
third-largest number of people living with HIV with a
prevalence rate among adults of 15 to 49 estimated to be 3.9
percent.
The US describes Nigeria as a key partner in the
region and the continent due to its population and far
reaching influence.
Despite the souring of relations between the two
countries during the military era, the return to democracy
brought improvement in bilateral relationship.
PTI
