The book titled, TURNING THE TIDE: AIDS IN NIGERIA document the tremendous progress of the country in preventing HIV infection, treating those in need and developing a responsive healthcare system. Written by dozens of the country’s leading HIV experts, this book describes the multi-sectoral response to the epidemic with implications for future policies with global relevance. The human side of the epidemics is also described to acknowledge the challenges to AidS patients in Nigeria, and the dedication of the healthcare providers and their efforts to reduce stigma, provide care and give hope to the many. There is no doubt, it has been 30 years since the onset of the global AIDS epidemic and advances in biomedical research have led to the discovery of effective medicine which for many transformed AIDS from a death sentence to a chronic treatable condition. Yet, the greatest burden of disease remains in part of the world that struggle to provide drugs for the millions of AIDS patients still in need. Nigeria, the most populous nation on the African continent, continues to bear one of the highest burden of AIDS, while providing for over one million patients. Launched in 2003, US President George W. Bush started the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reliefs, the largest effort by any nation to combat a single disease. He envisioned that the program would “… turn the tide against AIDS in the most afflicted nations of Africa and the Caribbean.” Dr. Prosper Okonkwo, APIN CEO in a welcome address at the venue, International Conference Center, Abuja on 11th April, 2019 said, this indeed for us is a day of gladness and rejoicing, because it culminates our efforts of almost 3 years working on producing this book, Turning the Tide-AIDS in Nigeria, a second by our group. The book is in 4 sections, 26 chapters, 4 photo essays from the program, and these essays are intended to give human angle to the epidemic, as well provide some useful insight for those not working on HIV/AIDS. It is hoped that the broad scope of issues covered in the book will make it a veritable resource to policy makers, program managers, the academia and all those who might want to learn more about the efforts of the Nigeria government at achieving epidemic control of HIV/AIDS; says Dr. Prosper Okonkwo. APIN public health Initiative ( formerly AIDS Prevention Initiatives in Nigeria) commence operations in Nigeria in 2000 as a Gates Foundation funded project of the Harvard School of Public Health(HSPH) but transitioned in 2007 to AIDS Prevention Initiatives in Nigeria (APIN), currently supporting the care and treatment of about 260,000 people living with HIV in eight states in Nigeria and also serve as Program Support Unit for Saving One Million Lives (SOML) projects in the 5 South Eastern and Benue States, as well as the Independent Verification Agent (IVA) on the World Bank/ NPHCDA National State Health Investment Programs (NSHIP) in Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba state. Dr. Toyin Jolayemi, Deputy CEO programs, APIN in a vote of thanks expressed gratitude to Govt. corporate and private bodies as well as authors and pray that God grant them safety to their various destinations both locally and foreign. DG NACA, DR Sani Aliyu while reacting to newsmen briefly after the event notes that a lot has been achieved in both the prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS in Nigeria with reference to the report of the National AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) and promised more in the prevention and control of the chronic treatable condition (HIV/AIDS) Prof. Isaac F. Adewole, Hon. Minister of health in an interaction with newsmen thank Mr. President and the federal government for budgetary allocation and disbursement of fund to the health ministry. By Wisdom
