Ogun Moves to Strengthen HIV Fight as Over 30,000 Patients Get Free Treatment

(Abiodun disclosing residents with HIV. Photo Credit: Daily Post)

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that more than 30,000 residents living with HIV in the state are currently receiving free antiretroviral therapy, counselling, and support services across health facilities.

The governor made this known in Abeokuta during the commissioning of the Pharma-Grade Warehouse operated by the Ogun State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency.

He highlighted significant progress made in repositioning the state’s healthcare system, while urging residents to make full use of available services by visiting hospitals for proper diagnosis and treatment.

He noted that the state government continues to strengthen HIV prevention programmes, expand testing access, and work to reduce new infections.

Abiodun commended the Global Fund for its role in expanding HIV treatment access across Nigeria, alongside its support for tuberculosis diagnosis, malaria prevention, and the supply of essential medicines, noting that its interventions have particularly benefited women, children, adolescents, and underserved communities.

Describing the newly commissioned warehouse as a strategic investment, the governor explained that the facility would enhance the storage, management, and distribution of essential medicines and health commodities, helping reduce stock-outs and ensure timely delivery to healthcare facilities across all 20 local government areas in the state.

While acknowledging that HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria remain significant public health challenges in Ogun State, Abiodun expressed confidence that sustained interventions, in partnership with development organizations, are yielding steady progress.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and disclosed that tuberculosis control efforts have been intensified through community outreach, contact tracing, and hotspot mapping, alongside expanded access to diagnostic tools such as screening, X-rays, and laboratory testing.

He stressed that tuberculosis remains a preventable, detectable, and curable disease.

The governor also commended the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s broader health sector, affirming that Ogun State would continue aligning with national health priorities.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Health Dr. Tomi Coker said the facility was designed to improve healthcare service delivery across the state, commending the governor’s investment in a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography machine used to test drug quality, and disclosing plans to deploy technology capable of detecting low medicine stock levels at health facilities statewide.

Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands described the newly commissioned facility as a critical investment in strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring timely access to medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic commodities.

He revealed that among 22 similar warehouses built across Nigeria, Ogun State’s facility is the largest and best-equipped, commending the state’s leadership in the health sector and pledging continued support from the Global Fund.

He noted that the facility, jointly funded by the Global Fund and the Ogun State Government, reflects the administration’s commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of its people.