Over two million people in Gombe State have benefited from HIV/AIDS screening, treatment, and counseling services.
Bolanle Oyeledun, CEO of the Centre for Integrated Health Programme (CIHP), shared this update on Tuesday, August 20, during an event marking CIHP’s transition to a new partner, Family Health International (FHI).
Oyeledun highlighted CIHP’s impact in Gombe, mentioning improvements to health facilities, training for healthcare workers, screening of over 13,000 pregnant women, and treatment of 235 patients.
“Today, as we transition our programme to new partners, we do so with immense pride in what we have achieved together,” Oyeledun said.
“Thousands of lives have been saved, and the spread of HIV has been drastically reduced. Gombe is now one of the three states in Nigeria to have achieved epidemic control.”
She noted that over one million pregnant women have been tested for HIV, with those who tested positive receiving treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission, “ensuring healthier futures for countless children.”
State Commissioner for Health, Habu Dahiru, praised CIHP’s work, especially in building healthcare capacity, preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, and improving health infrastructure.
Dahiru thanked global partners such as the Global Fund, Nigeria Country Office, and the University of Ibadan for their support in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
He assured that CIHP’s achievements will be preserved and built upon by FHI, with ongoing efforts to maintain progress in HIV prevention and management.
“This event is not just a farewell but a celebration of 17 years of dedication and partnership, leaving a lasting impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria,” Dahiru said.
“As the programme transitions to FHI, our commitment to providing crucial HIV/AIDS services in Gombe State remains strong, ensuring that the progress made over the past 17 years will continue.”
