The Federal Capital Territory Administration says activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day will be open, participatory, and focused on FCT communities to strengthen awareness, inclusiveness, and the overall HIV response across the territory.
A statement by Mrs Bola Ajao, Special Assistant to the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, confirmed the Administration’s participation in the 2025 global commemoration.
According to the statement, the theme for the 2025 World AIDS Day is “Overcoming Disruption: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” reflecting sustained efforts to advance prevention, testing, treatment, and support services in spite of emerging public health challenges nationwide.
The statement quoted Dr Dan Gadzama, FCTA Director of Public Health, saying Fasawe directed the Secretariat to join global partners in reducing HIV transmission through a one-day high-level symposium designed to foster coordinated action.
It added that the symposium would hold on Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Abuja, bringing policymakers, development partners, people living with HIV, civil society groups, and community leaders together to review progress and strengthen interventions.
The statement noted that participants would examine achievements, share useful information, and develop strategies to improve HIV programmes in the FCT, ensuring a unified approach to sustaining gains made in recent years.
According to the statement, the objective is to enable all stakeholders to speak collectively, coordinate efforts effectively, and deepen support for affected individuals while promoting a stronger, more resilient HIV response within local communities.
The statement also quoted Dr Fatima Daggash, State Programme Coordinator for HIV/AIDS, STIs and Viral Hepatitis, explaining that Dec. 1 remained a day globally recognised to honour AIDS victims and reaffirmed commitments to ending HIV.
She commended progress achieved over time and emphasised the urgency of renewed commitment, stressing that stakeholder engagement was essential to assess existing gaps and agree on priority areas requiring significant improvement.
Daggash added that activities scheduled for the year included free counselling, HIV testing, and community sensitisation designed to promote early diagnosis, linkage to care, sustained viral suppression, and reduction of stigma across communities.
She said those interventions aimed to expand access to services, empower vulnerable populations, and reinforce the FCT’s determination to strengthen prevention, improve treatment outcomes, and advance efforts toward eliminating HIV-related discrimination.
- Source: NAN
