Bauchi Govt Renews Pledge to End AIDS by 2030 Amid Funding Worry

By Khalid Idris Doya 

Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria - November 28, 2025(Series News Online)

The Bauchi state government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, pledging to intensify collaboration with partners and strengthen health systems.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, gave the assurance during the commemoration of the 2025 World AIDS Day, themed "Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response," held at the MAHWUN Secretariat in Bauchi on Monday.

"The transformation of HIV from a fatal illness to a manageable chronic condition is a testament to the progress made so far," said Dauda Yakubu Muhammad, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, representing the Commissioner. "Globally, 40.8 million people are living with HIV, while Nigeria accounts for about 2 million of that population."

Dr. Dambam reported a dramatic improvement in the state's HIV landscape, saying that Bauchi's prevalence rate has dropped from 6.8% in 2001 to 0.4% in 2018. Currently, 29,874 people living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) across the state, which now boasts 863 HTS/PMTCT facilities offering free HIV services.

"In 2025 alone, the state placed 2,246 newly diagnosed persons on treatment and ensured that over 650 HIV-exposed infants received early infant diagnosis and remained free of HIV," he said.

However, Dr. Dambam warned that recent funding cuts pose a serious challenge, stressing the need for a stronger, more resilient, rights-focused approach if Bauchi is to meet its 2030 target.

UNFPA Executive Director, Ms. Diene Keita, warned that international funding cuts are severely threatening global progress on HIV prevention. "The cuts have already deprived 2.5 million people of access to life-saving PrEP medication, destabilizing prevention programs across sub-Saharan Africa," she said.

Represented in Bauchi by Deborah Tabara, Ms. Keita cautioned that without urgent action, 3.3 million more people could acquire HIV by 2030, noting that adolescent girls and young women remain disproportionately at risk.

Chairman of BACATMA, Dr. Sambo Adamu Umar, said World AIDS Day serves as a global reminder of the need for collective action, support for people living with HIV, and remembrance of those who died from AIDS-related illnesses.

"Bauchi's progress is encouraging, and with continued commitment from government, partners, and communities, the state is on track to eliminate HIV by 2030," he said. "More people know their status, more clients are on life-saving treatment, and more communities are engaged in prevention. But our work is not yet finished. We must continue to stand together and reaffirm our resolve to end AIDS as a public health threat."