The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to intensifying the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state, pledging decisive action to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery for all citizens.
Governor Mutfwang made the declaration on Monday in Jos during the commemoration of World AIDS Day, represented at the event by his deputy, Ngo Josephine Piyo. He highlighted that despite disruptions, including temporary halts in some donor-funded programs, the state is making notable progress in combating HIV/AIDS.
Speaking on the global theme for this year, “Overcoming Disruptions: Sustaining Nigeria’s HIV Response,” Mutfwang emphasized the need to place people at the center of interventions. “As your Governor, I stand fully aligned with this ambition. Plateau State remains firmly committed to the UNAIDS target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. This commitment is not mere rhetoric; it is a mandate my administration holds dearly,” he said.
The governor disclosed that his administration has approved the immediate employment of over 1,000 healthcare workers across the Primary Health Care Board and the Hospital Management Board. The recruitment includes doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists, and community health extension workers, aimed at expanding HIV testing, treatment initiation, counseling, prevention, and community outreach.
In addition, Mutfwang highlighted strategic interventions to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, including the upgrade of five Primary Health Centres into full-fledged cottage hospitals and the expansion of the Plateau State Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency to secure life-saving HIV test kits, antiretroviral medicines, and other essential supplies.
Executive Director of the Plateau State Agency for the Control of AIDS (PLACA), Mrs. Esther Turaki, noted that despite declining global HIV funding, the state has recorded a decline in new infections and an increase in antiretroviral coverage. She reported that from 2020 to 2024, new infections dropped from 3,850 to 2,520, with ART coverage reaching 92% and a viral load suppression rate of 94% as of June 2025.
In a keynote address, Prof. Christian Isiche urged stakeholders to prioritize vulnerable populations, women, and children in sustaining the HIV response. Meanwhile, the Network of People Living with HIV presented an award of excellence to Governor Mutfwang in recognition of his administration’s effective support to PLACA.
World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, aims to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, support people living with the virus, and remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Governor Mutfwang used the occasion to call for resilience, local ownership of healthcare, and continued collaboration with civil society, partners, and communities to ensure no Plateau citizen is left behind.
