The Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving the welfare of women and children living with HIV/AIDS, pledging increased support and enhanced healthcare services to reduce stigma and promote inclusive care across the state.
Speaking during a recent event at the Ministry of Health in Ilorin, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, announced the government’s dedication to providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals affected by the virus. She disclosed that the state has renovated a six-room office space within the ministry to house the State AIDS and STIs Control Programme (SASCP), a move aimed at strengthening coordination and delivery of HIV-related interventions.
The facility, officially commissioned on July 6, 2025, was upgraded through the Global Fund N-THRIP grant and executed by the Society for Family Health (SFH) on behalf of Nigeria’s national HIV programme. Dr. El-Imam commended the collaboration and described the initiative as a strategic investment to improve service delivery, particularly for women and children who often face unique social and health-related challenges.
She emphasized that the new office space would not only enhance the operational capacity of the SASCP team but also serve as a symbol of the government’s resolve to end discrimination and improve access to treatment and psychosocial support. “This facility is a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to providing quality healthcare and fostering a stigma-free society,” she stated.
The commissioner also assured residents of Kwara that the government would continue to work with stakeholders, including development partners and civil society organisations, to scale up interventions and ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s HIV response.
With this development, Kwara joins a growing list of Nigerian states taking proactive steps to achieve epidemic control and ensure that women and vulnerable groups receive the care, dignity, and protection they deserve.
