Lagos Strengthens Coordinated Response, Presents HIV Prevention Action Plan
Dr. Folakemi Animashaun speaking at the event
… aims at inclusive growth and resilient health systems.
The Lagos State Government has officially disseminated the Lagos State HIV Prevention Plan (2025–2027), a strategic framework designed to strengthen HIV prevention efforts and accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat in the state.
Speaking at the dissemination meeting held at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, described the plan as the outcome of collective effort, shared responsibility, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
She explained that the document, developed and disseminated in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), provides a clear roadmap for advancing HIV prevention in Lagos State over the next two years.
“I recognise the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), whose financial support made this process possible. Their investment reflects a strong commitment to ensuring that adolescents, young people, and vulnerable populations remain at the centre of HIV prevention efforts,” Animashaun said.
Highlighting the core focus areas of the plan, the Chief Executive Officer outlined key priorities including the integration of HIV services at the primary healthcare level; expansion of pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP); elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV; condom programming; harm reduction strategies; stigma reduction; and community-led approaches.
She emphasised that effective implementation of the plan requires collective ownership, calling on government agencies to mainstream HIV prevention into health and social systems, civil society organisations to drive innovation and accountability, and development partners to align resources with identified priorities.
Animashaun also commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his visionary leadership and sustained commitment to health and human capital development, noting that his support has created an enabling environment that prioritises HIV prevention within the state’s broader agenda of inclusive growth and resilient health systems.
Earlier, the Director of Projects at LSACA, Mr. Michael Essien, presented an overview of the HIV Prevention Plan, highlighting the strategic responsibilities of the Lagos State Government in strengthening preventive efforts across the state.
He noted that government-led interventions remain central to reducing new infections and improving public awareness at all levels of society.
According to him, key preventive measures include targeted sensitisation programmes for artisans, active engagement of traditional birth attendants, sustained public reorientation campaigns to eliminate stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV, and the establishment of Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) centres in all state-owned health facilities offering antenatal services, an initiative he described as critical to safeguarding maternal and child health.
In her remarks, the Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Esther Somefun, underscored the importance of a clear, evidence-based framework in advancing HIV prevention efforts.
She stressed that prevention remains essential to keeping people out of the cycle of lifelong HIV treatment, noting that without a guiding policy document, partners would lack direction and coherence in their interventions.
Somefun however reaffirmed UNFPA’s continued support to the Lagos State Government in the prevention, management, and control of HIV, adding that strong and productive partnerships are vital to developing effective strategies that improve community health outcomes.
