HIV-positive people shut NACA over lack of anti-retroviral drugs

Over 300 protesters under the aegis of Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS on Monday shut the office of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, citing their inability to access anti-retroviral drugs and ongoing withdrawal of financial support to HIV/AIDS by external funding partners.



They also complained about the non-implementation of the Comprehensive Response Plan inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan to bridge the existing treatment access gaps.

As early as 6am, the protesters had besieged the major entrance to office of the Director-General, of NACA, Prof. John Idoko, and prevented him and other staff from entering their offices.

They came with bed sheets and other sleeping materials, an indication that the protest would be serious.

The Federal Government had appropriated N140bn for the PCRC, out of which only N8bn has been released.

The spokesperson for NEPWHAN, Mr. Sumaila Garba, told journalists that they would lock up NACA office for 25 days.

Among these protesters were young men and women, carrying placards with different anti-government inscriptions.

But Idoko assured the protesters that NACA was looking into their grievances to ensure that the issues were resolved amicably.

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