The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and stakeholders have urged a coordinated effort to combat HIV/AIDS in rural communities, stressing the importance of accessibility, awareness, and sustainability.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, made the call at the FCT Integrated Symposium in Abuja on Tuesday, part of activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day.
The event’s sub-theme was “Innovation, Collaboration and Integration: Securing the Future of HIV and the ATM Response in Nigeria.”
Represented by Permanent Secretary Dr. Babagana Adams, Fasawe highlighted the need for grassroots engagement to ensure Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS receive adequate care and support.
She noted that security challenges and social stigma often hinder access to treatment, emphasizing that government efforts aim to improve accessibility, affordability, and treatment success rates.
Dr. Dan Gadzama, Director of FCT Department of Public Health, said the department operates a grassroots First-Class Committee that collaborates with area councils, civil society groups, and people living with HIV to provide education, preventive services, and free treatment through community interactions and town hall meetings.
Dr. Tangkat Hosle, FCT Regional Manager at the Institute of Neurology, praised the government’s commitment and urged all stakeholders to take ownership in sustaining innovative approaches to HIV/AIDS care, ensuring continuity of treatment and strengthening Nigeria’s collective response to the epidemic.
