AIDS Healthcare Foundation Achieves Historic Milestone, Reaches 2 Million Patients in Global HIV/AIDS Care

In a significant achievement, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has provided in-care HIV/AIDS services to over two million people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) globally. The milestone was marked at an event in Abuja, Nigeria, where the organisation’s Country Director, Dr Echey Ijezie, disclosed the achievement.

Over the past 20 years, AHF has grown from serving just 200 patients in South Africa and Uganda to now providing care to millions of people across 47 countries. The organisation’s commitment to HIV/AIDS care has been a key factor in its success, with over half of its two million patients receiving care in Africa.

In Nigeria, AHF has made significant strides, with the country director stating that the organisation started with zero patients in 2011 but now has 29,000 people in care under the Nigeria programme. Many of these patients are in remote locations, underscoring AHF’s efforts to reach hard-to-reach areas.

The combination of medicine and advocacy has been instrumental in AHF’s success, with the organisation leveraging innovative healthcare delivery models to expand its reach and impact. This includes providing comprehensive medical care, treatment, testing, prevention, and support services to those in need.

Government officials and healthcare experts also commended AHF’s efforts, with the Director of the Public Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, affirming the government’s commitment to improving health outcomes and unlocking the health sector’s value chain.

The National Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Abdulkadir Ibrahim, noted that the over two million people in care reflect AHF’s commitment to ending the virus globally. He emphasized that providing treatment to two million lives shows that progress is being made towards ending AIDS in Nigeria and globally.

The Technical Officer for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STI at WHO-Nigeria, Oluwafunke Odunkade, highlighted the importance of ensuring that everyone receiving care has optimal access to healthcare services. She emphasized that it is not just about having the numbers, but ensuring that those receiving care receive the best possible care.

As AHF celebrates this historic milestone, it is clear that the organisation’s commitment to HIV/AIDS care has made a significant impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.