Hannatu Samuel, a widow and mother of three in Nyanya, a community in the Federal Capital Territory, has been living with HIV for over 15 years and consistently taking her antiretroviral drugs, which have prevented her young children from contracting the virus.
“I wonder what my fate will be with the pause in foreign assistance. Will I be able to access free drugs continuously?” Mrs Samuel asks, looking worried.
Her concerns reflect the fears of thousands of Nigerians living with HIV.
This anxiety intensified after the United States government paused foreign aid funds in January, an action that immediately affected the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and prevention services in several countries.
Although the administration later issued a waiver allowing the continuation of essential medicines and medical services, the temporary halt still heightened uncertainty among people living with HIV and those supporting the national response.
Nigeria, like many developing nations, depends heavily on international funding for HIV testing, treatment and prevention.
This reliance is critical because, according to the Joint Unit
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