𝐎𝐲𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐈𝐕/𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐏𝐄𝐏𝐅𝐀𝐑 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐥

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for urgent state intervention to cushion the impact of the United States’ withdrawal of funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, warning that thousands of residents living with HIV/AIDS may lose access to essential treatment, care, and support unless swift action is taken by the state government.

Lawmaker representing Ibadan North I, Mrs. Comforter Olajide, moved the motion titled “Need for Urgent State Intervention in HIV/AIDS Treatment, Care, and Support in Oyo State Following the Withdrawal of PEPFAR Support” and seconded by Hon. Dahood Olalere from Ibadan North West, at the plenary session held on Thursday and presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mohammed Fadeyi.

Hon. Comforter expressed deep concern about the looming health crisis, urging the state government to strengthen and sustain lifesaving services for people living with HIV/AIDS, while emphasizing that the sudden funding gap could reverse years of progress in the fight against the disease if not addressed promptly.

In his contribution, the Deputy Chief Whip and member representing Atiba State Constituency, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, lamented that the Federal Government has failed to provide alternative support following the U.S. funding cut. He explained that over 550 ad-hoc personnel previously engaged by the AIDS Public Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) to support Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) services had been disengaged, adding that this development could lead to severe drug shortages and disruptions in the delivery of treatment services.

Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Ibadan North East II, Hon. Babalola, warned that without immediate intervention, the disruptions could result in treatment default, viral resistance, increased HIV transmission, avoidable deaths among people living with HIV, additional pressure on the state’s already stretched health system, reduced productivity, and a growing loss of public confidence in healthcare delivery.

After extensive deliberations, the lawmakers unanimously urged the Seyi Makinde-led administration, through the Ministry of Health, the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), and the Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, to assess and bridge the treatment gaps caused by PEPFAR’s withdrawal. 

They also called for the development of a short- to medium-term state-funded HIV/AIDS intervention strategy that would sustain ART services in affected facilities and ensure that disengaged ad-hoc personnel are re-engaged using state resources or through public-private partnerships.

The Assembly also appealed for stronger collaboration with donor agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private health investors to support people living with HIV across the state. In addition, the House Committee on Health was tasked with convening a stakeholders’ meeting, including representatives of networks of people living with HIV, to review the current state of care and propose sustainable long-term solutions.

The Lawmakers further advocated for special budgetary provisions and dedicated funding to guarantee uninterrupted access to HIV/AIDS treatment and support services throughout Oyo State.