Health
Lagos unveils plan to close HIV treatment, prevention gaps
Ayoola Babalola
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a three-year strategic plan to close persistent gaps in HIV prevention, testing and treatment as it works towards meeting its targets by 2027.
The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency launched the 2025–2027 Lagos State Strategic Plan on HIV earlier this week, calling for stronger collaboration among government institutions, healthcare providers, communities, civil society organisations and development partners to improve outcomes.
The plan is aimed at building on the gains recorded in the state’s HIV response while addressing challenges in reaching underserved populations, promptly linking people who test positive to treatment and retaining patients in care until they achieve viral suppression.
Speaking at the dissemination of the plan at the BWC Hotel, Victoria Island, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Folakemi Animashaun, said the document was designed to provide stakeholders with a common framework for directing programmes, resources and partnerships towards measurable HIV targets.
Animashaun said, “Despite the gains recorded, critical gaps remain and require sustained attention, particularly in reaching underserved populations, strengthening HIV prevention and testing, ensuring timely linkage to treatment, improving retention in care and achieving viral suppression.”
She said implementation of the strategic plan was already underway across the state, adding that the dissemination provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress and identify areas requiring urgent attention before the end of the plan period.
The LSACA boss urged stakeholders to move beyond identifying gaps and focus on how existing resources could be deployed more effectively to achieve better results.
She said the agency would continue to coordinate the state’s HIV response, mobilise resources, monitor implementation and promote the use of evidence in decision-making.
Animashaun also acknowledged the leadership of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the contributions of ministries, departments and agencies, development and implementing partners, civil society groups, community networks and healthcare workers.
She said achieving the objectives of the 2025–2027 plan would depend on sustained collaboration and adequate funding.
Animashaun said, “The successful implementation of the Strategic Plan would depend on sustained collaboration, effective coordination, adequate resource mobilisation and a shared commitment to improving HIV prevention, treatment and care outcomes across Lagos State.”
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