Urgent Call to Action: HIV-Discordant Couples in Nigeria Face Uncertain Future
A devastating blow has been dealt to HIV-discordant couples in Nigeria, where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not, following the suspension of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) support by the U.S. government through USAID. This decision has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many couples in fear and uncertainty about their future.
According to Comrade Haruna Ado Sani, Programme Director of the Save Lives Sustainable and Counselling Initiative, a non-governmental organization based in Kano, the suspension of PrEP support has had a serious impact on many couples who relied on the medication to protect their HIV-negative partners. "Previously, PrEP helped strengthen relationships and marriages between people living with HIV and their HIV-negative partners. But now, with the support withdrawn, many of these couples are left in fear and uncertainty," he said.
The crisis is palpable, with one HIV-positive man, who wished to remain anonymous, sharing his heartbreaking story. He and his wife have been married for over six years, with the understanding that she would be safe as long as she took PrEP. "My wife agreed to marry me because of how much she loves me and after doctors assured her she would not get infected if she took the medication. But now, we’re living in fear — worried about the future for ourselves and our two children," he said. He’s desperate to find a way to protect his family, even offering to pay out of his own pocket for the medication.
The situation is further complicated by the reluctance of some couples to use condoms during sex, despite efforts by the organization to educate them on the importance of staying on their HIV treatment. "We’ve tried to educate people about the importance of staying on their HIV treatment even without PrEP, but many are not convinced. This is a serious issue, and the government needs to step in quickly to help by providing this medication," Comrade Haruna Ado Sani emphasized.
Pregnant women married to HIV-positive partners are exempt from the suspension, and they can still receive PrEP as part of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission and protect their health during pregnancy. However, the Nigerian federal government’s announcement of a ₦5 billion fund to purchase HIV medication has not translated into tangible support for organizations like the Save Lives Initiative. "We’ve not received any drugs from the government. We only heard in the media that funds were allocated, but no one has contacted us or delivered any medication," Comrade Haruna Ado Sani said.
The Save Lives Initiative is urging the federal government to take immediate action to restore access to PrEP or provide alternative protection for HIV-discordant couples. The consequences of inaction could be dire, leading to new infections, emotional distress, and the breakdown of families. As the clock ticks, the fate of these couples hangs in the balance, waiting for a lifeline that could change the course of their lives forever.
