Neftaly HIV/AIDS Program – Nigeria
Project Duration: 1 January 2004 – 31 May 2006
Location: Federal Republic of Nigeria
Sector: Health – HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, and Support
Implementing Partner: Neftaly Health Initiatives
Key Collaborators: Nigerian Ministry of Health, NACA, local NGOs, and community-based organizations
Program Overview
The Neftaly HIV/AIDS Program in Nigeria was launched to address the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic during a critical period in the early 2000s. Operating from January 2004 to May 2006, the program focused on high-burden states with low service coverage and aimed to reduce transmission rates, expand access to testing and treatment, and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
Program Objectives
- Increase access to voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services.
- Provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) and clinical care to PLHIV.
- Strengthen prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services.
- Build capacity of healthcare workers and local institutions.
- Promote HIV awareness and reduce stigma through community outreach.
Key Activities and Achievements
- HIV Testing and Counseling
- Established over 40 VCT centers across urban and rural communities.
- Provided confidential testing and counseling to over 120,000 individuals.
- Integrated VCT into primary health facilities to increase accessibility.
- Access to Treatment and Care
- Enrolled over 6,500 PLHIV into ART programs with comprehensive clinical and psychosocial support.
- Distributed essential medications, nutritional supplements, and adherence counseling.
- Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT)
- Supported 15 PMTCT sites in public hospitals and maternal clinics.
- Provided HIV testing to over 10,000 pregnant women, with follow-up care for mothers and infants.
- Community Engagement and Education
- Conducted nationwide awareness campaigns in schools, workplaces, and religious institutions.
- Trained over 1,200 peer educators, including youth leaders, on HIV prevention and stigma reduction.
- Developed and disseminated culturally sensitive IEC materials in multiple local languages.
- Capacity Strengthening
- Trained 800+ healthcare providers in HIV diagnosis, ART provision, and patient management.
- Improved referral systems and data reporting tools for HIV services.
- Strengthened partnerships with local CSOs and health departments.
Program Impact
- Expanded HIV service coverage in underserved and high-risk communities.
- Improved health outcomes for thousands of PLHIV through early diagnosis and sustained treatment.
- Strengthened Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS response infrastructure.
- Contributed to national goals of reducing HIV transmission and increasing public awareness.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
- Stigma and discrimination remained significant barriers to testing and care, particularly among women and youth.
- Limited infrastructure in rural areas required mobile services and creative outreach models.
- Sustainability planning was crucial to ensure continuity of care post-program, leading to capacity transfer to local partners.
Conclusion
The Neftaly HIV/AIDS Program in Nigeria (2004–2006) played a pivotal role in expanding HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services during a formative time in the national HIV response. By combining clinical support with community-driven education and capacity building, Neftaly helped lay the groundwork for continued progress in fighting HIV/AIDS across Nigeria.