NIGERIA: Greater funding needed for ambitious AIDS plan

Plans to increase the number of HIV-positive Nigerians on anti-AIDS treatment over the next two years could fall far short as a result of poor resources, Agence France-Presse reported.

The government is in the process of launching a new appeal for greater support from the Global AIDS Fund.

According to Health Minister Eyitayo Lambo, only about 14,000 of the estimated five million people living with HIV and AIDS were benefiting from the government's AIDS treatment, which subsidised 70 percent of the cost to patients.

Lambo said the government hoped to increase the number to 100,000 this year, and was aiming to reach 350,000 people by 2007.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]