Katsina State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) says the state has recorded a significant decline in HIV prevalence, particularly among pregnant women and children, following sustained interventions by the government and development partners.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Nuhu Bala Kankia, disclosed this during a one-day dissemination meeting on the Katsina State HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan (2025–2027), held in Katsina.
Kankia said available data showed encouraging progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, attributing the improvement to increased government support, public awareness, and expanded access to prevention and treatment services.
“Based on the figures available to us, we have recorded remarkable success in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The prevalence, especially among pregnant women and children, is reducing gradually,” he said.
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He attributed the progress to the moral and financial support provided by the Katsina State Government under Governor Dikko Umar Radda, as well as the contributions of donor agencies and other development partners.
“The commitment of the state government, coupled with the support of our partners, has strengthened our response to HIV prevention, treatment, and care across the state,” Kankia added.
He described the dissemination of the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan as a critical step towards sustaining the gains already achieved and strengthening future interventions.
“The strategic plan provides us with a clear direction for the next two years. It will help us consolidate our achievements while addressing emerging challenges in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” he said.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Temitope Ilori, commended the Katsina State Government and stakeholders for the progress recorded.
Represented by the agency’s Principal Accountant, Onuh Daniel, Ilori described the new strategic plan as a vital framework for strengthening the state’s HIV response.
“The State Strategic Plan represents a critical framework for improving coordination, effectiveness, and sustainability of the HIV response at the state level. It provides a roadmap for expanding access to prevention, treatment, care, and support services while ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
She added, “The effective implementation of this strategic plan will be instrumental in achieving improved health outcomes and sustaining the gains already made in the fight against HIV.”
Ilori reaffirmed NACA’s commitment to supporting the Katsina State Government through technical leadership, coordination, and strategic assistance to ensure the successful implementation of the plan.
The dissemination meeting was attended by officials of SACA, NACA, the Katsina State Ministry of Health, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, development partners, and representatives of the Global Fund Foundation.
A Tribune correspondent in Katsina gathered that religious organisations in the state are contributing significantly to the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign as Nigeria continues to implement national and state-level HIV strategic plans aimed at reducing new infections, expanding access to treatment, and achieving the global goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat through sustained government commitment and partnerships with development organisations.
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