NIGERIA: Funding released for "ambitious" AIDS plan

The US this week released $200 million to Nigeria for the nationwide scaling-up of its anti-AIDS treatment programme.

Nigerian Health Minister Eyitayo Lambo recently announced $248 million was needed to have 200,000 people on treatment by the end of 2005, a target that was seen as ambitious, considering that only 14,000 people currently have access to antiretrovirals.

The funds are part of the US President's Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which directs money to 12 African nations and the Caribbean.

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