Ending the HIV Epidemic in Nigeria
Over the past three decades, the HIV epidemic has posed a profound challenge to public health, community welfare, and socio-economic stability across Nigeria—impacting individuals across every social, economic, and regional demographic.
Addressing HIV requires urgent, targeted action in testing, education, and early intervention to ensure no one is left behind.
The Reality: A Critical Gap in Diagnosis & Care
Nigeria carries the highest HIV burden in West and Central Africa, making local, community-driven action essential to stopping transmission:
- High National Burden: Approximately 1.8 million people in Nigeria are living with HIV, accounting for roughly 38% of all new HIV infections in West and Central Africa.
- The Diagnostic Gap: Tragically, one-third of people living with HIV in Nigeria are unaware of their status. Undiagnosed infections delay life-saving treatment and contribute to ongoing community transmission.
- Global Impact: Globally, HIV/AIDS has claimed over 25 million lives, remaining one of the most significant public health challenges of our time.
Our Solution: The End HIV Epidemic Initiative
KOFA’s End HIV Epidemic Initiative is an integrated community health program designed to combat HIV/AIDS in Nigeria’s most underserved regions, IDP camps, and hard-to-reach populations. We remove structural and financial barriers to care through four strategic pillars:
1. Free & Confidential Rapid Testing
We deploy mobile healthcare teams and community pop-up clinics to provide free, confidential rapid HIV testing. By bringing diagnostic services directly to last-mile communities, we ensure everyone—regardless of location or socio-economic standing—can know their status safely and early.
2. Post-Test Counseling & Mental Health Support
A diagnosis is only the beginning of care. We provide compassionate, comprehensive post-test counseling to help individuals process test results, reduce anxiety, and adopt a holistic approach to health management and lifestyle adjustments.
3. Linkage to Care & Anti-Stigma Advocacy
We actively bridge the gap between diagnosis and ongoing medical treatment, helping HIV-positive individuals connect with health centers for Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Simultaneously, we run community awareness drives to combat HIV-related stigma, encouraging an environment of empathy, dignity, and inclusion.
Driving Global Goals: UNAIDS & SDG 3.3
By expanding equitable access to testing and counseling, KOFA Africa supports the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets (ensuring 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of diagnosed people receive sustained ART, and 95% on treatment achieve viral suppression).
Our efforts directly contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, accelerating progress toward ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
