CSO Demand SACA’s Reinstatement, Warn Of Critical Gaps In HIV/AIDS Response

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) operating in the HIV/AIDS sector in Edo State has urged the state government to reinstate the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), warning that its absence could undermine coordination, weaken interventions and limit access to critical funding.

The Edo State Coordinator of the Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN), Saliu Aidorolo, made the appeal while speaking on the organisation’s activities and a two-day capacity-building workshop organised for health-focused CSO.

Aidorolo expressed concern that Edo State remained the only state in Nigeria without a functional SACA, noting that the agency was dissolved by the previous administration despite the continued existence of the law establishing it.

He noted that the absence of the agency had undermined coordination among stakeholders and restricted access to technical assistance and financial support from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and development partners.

According to him, restoring SACA would create a central coordinating platform for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support programmes across the state.

He added that the move would not require significant additional expenditure, as former staff had been redeployed and existing government facilities could be utilised to house the agency.

He disclosed that CISHAN had raised the issue with the Commissioner for Health and expressed hope that the government would act urgently.

He clarified that the appeal was not intended to undermine the government’s achievements but to address a critical gap in the state’s HIV/AIDS response.

Aidorolo commended the Commissioner for Health for efforts to improve healthcare delivery, including health insurance initiatives and the establishment of the Edo State Healthcare Regulation and Monitoring Agency (EDOHERMA).

On the workshop, he said the training was designed to strengthen CSO capacity in governance, policy development, networking, programme implementation and proposal writing.

He noted that CISHAN had more than 80 registered member organisations in Edo State, many of which contribute to HIV/AIDS awareness and community-based healthcare services.

He stressed that the training was particularly important amid declining funding for CSO, adding that stronger organisational systems were essential for securing grants and sustaining interventions.

Although the two-day programme could not address every capacity gap, he described it as an important step towards building more effective organisations.

He also appreciated the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) for providing a free venue.

The workshop’s resource person and safeguarding consultant, Itua Micah, said the training aimed to strengthen CSO ability to support people living with HIV/AIDS.

He emphasised that safeguarding was essential to protecting beneficiaries, staff and volunteers while preserving their dignity.

Micah identified inadequate funding as a major challenge and called for greater government support through funding, infrastructure and safe working spaces.

The Regional Coordinator of PPFN for the South-South, Mrs Blessing Idehen, said the capacity-building programme was intended to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills in HIV prevention, counselling, testing and management.

She added that the training would keep participants informed about emerging issues, new developments and available treatments, enabling them to provide effective, quality services and better respond to HIV/AIDS challenges in Nigeria.