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As the world commemorates World AIDS Day 2024, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has urged stakeholders to collaborate to sustain investment and innovative approaches to addressing AIDS by 2030.

IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum made this call at a press conference in Abuja organized by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to kick off the commemoration of World AIDS Day 2024.

Dr. Dakum, who was represented by the Project Director of the Global Fund N-THRIP project, Dr. Olayemi Olupitan said, “World AIDS Day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This year’s theme, ‘Take the Rights Path: Sustain the HIV Response and Stop HIV among Children to End AIDS in Nigeria by 2030’ resonates deeply with our mission of promoting health equity and ensuring access to life-saving prevention, care, and treatment services for HIV and associated diseases. Our work has consistently focused on delivering patient-centered solutions, strengthening health systems, and reducing stigma and discrimination in communities.”

The CEO also noted that collective action will ensure a healthier, more equitable Nigeria.

While addressing the press at the event, NACA Director General, Dr. Temitope Ilori said that despite the country’s progress in combating HIV, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and pediatric HIV coverage remains below 33%.

“Following comprehensive data analysis in 2021, we joined the international initiative and developed the Global Alliance Action Plan to End AIDS in Children. The plan is fully resourced, yet coverage continues to fall short. To address this, the Honourable Minister of State for Health recently established a national-level acceleration committee to track implementation,” she said.

Dr. Ilori called on Nigerians to join hands to break the stigma, embrace equity, drive collective action and stop HIV among children.

“We must empower every individual, especially women who are most vulnerable to contracting HIV and other vulnerable populations, to access life-saving services and live with dignity.”

Partners represented a the event include UNAIDS, US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Network of People Living with HIV (NEPWHAN), Association of Women Living with HIV (ASWHAN), Society for Family Health (SFH) and FHI 360.  

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) recently joined family, friends, and well-wishers to bid farewell to Hon. Josephine Yinoe Tapgun, a cherished member of the IHVN Board, who passed away on 3rd November 2024.

The wake mass and funeral service in her honour were held at St Fimbars Catholic Church Rayfield, Jos, on November 14th and 15th, 2024, respectively.

IHVN Chief Executive Officer Dr. Patrick Dakum, who was represented at the event by IHVN Director Program Coordinating Unit, Dr. Yusuf Baba Oche, and IHVN Jos Regional Manager Mr. Timzing Miri-Dashe, conveyed the condolences of the Institute’s Board and Management to her family.

 Her family’s representative, Ambassador Sir Fidelis Tapgun, former Governor of Plateau State, expressed their gratitude to the Institute. He also thanked everyone who attended the ceremony and called for continued prayers for the family.

The event highlighted the Late Hon. Tapgun’s life of service and love and her positive impact on countless lives. Both the Plateau State Government Deputy Governor, Ms. Josephine Piyo, and the representative of the Plateau State Traditional Council, The Long-Gomai of Shendam, His Royal Highness Martins Shaldas, expressed sadness over her passing and noted that it was a loss to Plateau State and Nigeria at large.

Hon. Tapgun was widely respected for her unwavering commitment to humanity. As an IHVN Board Director, she was instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission to improve healthcare and empower communities across Nigeria.

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is participating in a groundbreaking African-led initiative to develop an HIV vaccine aimed at addressing the continent’s high burden of HIV infections.

Through its International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE), IHVN is implementing the “Bringing Innovation to Clinical and Laboratory Research to End HIV in Africa through New Vaccine Technology” (BRILLIANT) project in Nigeria. The project is funded by a $45 million grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and led by the Chief Executive Officer and President of the South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa, Prof. Glenda Gray

The initiative is part of the HIV Vaccine Innovation, Science, and Technology Acceleration in Africa (HIV-VISTA) program, includes Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique, and it aims to tailor HIV vaccine solutions to meet the specific needs of African populations.

IRCE Executive Director, Professor Alash’le Abimiku, expressed optimism about the project’s potential emphasizing that it is an essential step towards reducing the continent’s dependency on external support by cultivating local expertise and fostering private-sector partnerships.

“Africa currently bears approximately 65 percent of the global HIV burden, with Nigeria ranking as the fourth highest in cases worldwide. In 2023, UNAIDS estimated nearly 40 million people were living with HIV globally, with 1.3 million new infections recorded. In Nigeria alone, 1.9 million people are affected by HIV, underscoring the urgent need for additional preventive tools like a vaccine.”

She stressed the importance of leveraging new vaccine technologies, such as mRNA, to keep Africa’s healthcare solutions modern: “We cannot be using outdated technologies of the 18th century. We have to employ current technologies, and this collaboration should bring that capacity to our continent. This is a true partnership that acknowledges Africa’s potential for innovation and science to solve global health challenges, especially those that disproportionately impact our continent.”

IHVN and the BRILLIANT consortium’s efforts focus on evaluating vaccine candidates originating from Africa, with plans to implement the research solely within Sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by the epidemic. The HIV-VISTA study and the BRILLIANT project aim to establish a sustainable foundation for HIV vaccine research and development within the continent, potentially saving millions of lives by advancing local solutions to one of Africa’s most significant health challenges.

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Temitope Ilori, stated that “the five-year research initiative aims to find an effective vaccine for HIV, a virus particularly prevalent among youths, which could contribute significantly to the goal of the Federal Ministry of Health in eradicating the virus. Nigeria is one of eight African countries commissioned to work on a vaccine suitable for our population. This clinical trial, part of the BRILLIANT Study, is a crucial step toward ending HIV in Africa.”

Also at the event, UNAIDS Country Director Dr. Leo Zekeng, applauded the initiative as a groundbreaking step in global AIDS prevention. “At the core of our global strategy is ending inequalities and ending AIDS by 2030.  Promoting science, research, and development is part of this effort and this initiative is tailored for Africa’s population and empowers local scientists to continue the fight against HIV. He expressed appreciation for USAID’s support, describing it as “sa vital investment in Africa’s healthcare future.”