By Khalid Idris Doya The Bauchi state government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, pledging t...
By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi state government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, pledging to intensify collaboration with partners and strengthen health systems.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, gave the assurance during the commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, themed "Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response," held at the MAHWUN Secretariat in Bauchi on Monday.
The commissioner was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dauda Yakubu Muhammad, noted that while huge progress has been recorded over the years, HIV/AIDS remains a major public health challenge that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups, including the poor, women, and children.
He highlighted the transformation of HIV from a fatal illness to a manageable chronic condition, revealing that globally, 40.8 million people are living with HIV, while Nigeria accounts for about 2 million of that population.
He added that although AIDS remains incurable, "It no longer has to be a death sentence."
The commissioner reported a dramatic improvement in the state's HIV landscape, saying that Bauchi's prevalence rate has dropped from 6.8% in 2001 to 0.4% in 2018.
Currently, according to him 29,874 people living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) across the state, which now boasts 863 HTS/PMTCT facilities offering free HIV services to the general population and pregnant women.
In 2025 alone, he said the state placed 2,246 newly diagnosed persons on treatment and ensured that over 650 HIV-exposed infants received early infant diagnosis and remained free of HIV.
However, Dr. Dambam warned that recent funding cuts pose a serious challenge, stressing the need for a stronger, more resilient, rights-focused approach if Bauchi is to meet its 2030 target.
This year's weeklong activities included a rally, health talks, lectures, medical outreach, and distribution of nutritional support to people living with HIV.
He commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his strong political backing, especially the allocation of 1% of Local Government funds to the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, leprosy, and malaria. He also appreciated the First Lady Aisha Bala, BACATMA Board, partners, traditional institutions, civil society groups, and the media for their continuous support.
Also speaking, UNFPA Executive Director, Ms. Diene Keita, warned that international funding cuts are severely threatening global progress on HIV prevention.
Represented in Bauchi by Deborah Tabara, said the cuts have already deprived 2.5 million people of access to life-saving PrEP medication, destabilising prevention programs across sub-Saharan Africa, the region accounting for half of all new HIV infections.
Without urgent action, 3.3 million more people could acquire HIV by 2030, she cautioned, noting that adolescent girls and young women remain disproportionately at risk.
She emphasised that tackling gender inequality, stigma, and violence is essential to reducing HIV infections, while integrating HIV prevention into routine reproductive health services will widen access.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis/Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr. Sambo Adamu Umar, said World AIDS Day serves as a global reminder of the need for collective action, support for people living with HIV, and remembrance of those who died from AIDS-related illnesses.
He said Bauchi's progress is encouraging, and with continued commitment from government, partners, and communities, the state is on track to eliminate HIV by 2030.
"More people know their status, more clients are on life-saving treatment, and more communities are engaged in prevention. But our work is not yet finished. We must continue to stand together and reaffirm our resolve to end AIDS as a public health threat."
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