Efforts to strengthen HIV prevention, testing and treatment in Lagos State have received a boost with the launch of a three-year strategic plan targeting key gaps in the state’s response.
The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency unveiled the 2025–2027 Lagos State Strategic Plan on HIV, calling for stronger collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, communities, civil society organisations and development partners.
The plan seeks to build on existing progress while improving access for underserved populations, ensuring prompt linkage to treatment and helping patients remain in care until they achieve viral suppression.
Speaking at the dissemination of the plan in Victoria Island, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Folakemi Animashaun, said the document would provide stakeholders with a common framework for directing programmes, resources and partnerships towards measurable HIV targets.
Animashaun said, “Despite the gains recorded, critical gaps remain and require sustained attention, particularly in reaching underserved populations, strengthening HIV prevention and testing, ensuring timely linkage to treatment, improving retention in care and achieving viral suppression”.
She said implementation was already underway across the state, adding that the dissemination offered stakeholders an opportunity to review progress and identify areas requiring urgent attention before 2027.
The LSACA boss urged stakeholders to focus on deploying available resources more effectively, while the agency would continue to coordinate the HIV response, mobilise resources, monitor implementation and promote evidence-based decision-making.
She also stressed the importance of sustained collaboration and adequate funding in achieving the objectives of the strategic plan.
Animashaun said, “The successful implementation of the Strategic Plan would depend on sustained collaboration, effective coordination, adequate resource mobilisation and a shared commitment to improving HIV prevention, treatment and care outcomes across Lagos State.”
