LAGOS UNVEILS THREE-YEAR PLAN TO CLOSE HIV TREATMENT, PREVENTION GAPS

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a three-year strategic plan aimed at closing persistent gaps in HIV prevention, testing and treatment across the state.

The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency launched the 2025–2027 Lagos State Strategic Plan on HIV, calling for stronger collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, communities, civil society organisations and development partners.

The plan seeks to build on the state’s progress in combating HIV while improving access to services for underserved populations, ensuring timely linkage to treatment and retaining patients in care until they achieve viral suppression.

Speaking at the plan’s dissemination in Victoria Island, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Folakemi Animashaun, said the document provides stakeholders with a common framework for directing programmes, resources and partnerships towards measurable HIV targets.

Animashaun said critical gaps remained in reaching underserved populations, strengthening prevention and testing, linking newly diagnosed people to treatment and improving retention in care.

She said implementation was already underway across Lagos, adding that the dissemination provided an opportunity to assess progress and identify areas requiring urgent attention before the end of the plan period.

The LSACA boss urged stakeholders to focus on deploying existing resources more effectively rather than merely identifying challenges.

She also said LSACA would continue to coordinate the state’s HIV response, mobilise resources, monitor implementation and promote evidence-based decision-making.

Animashaun stressed that achieving the objectives of the 2025–2027 plan would require sustained collaboration, effective coordination, adequate funding and a shared commitment to improving HIV prevention, treatment and care outcomes across Lagos.