THE ACTION to Sustain Precision and Integrated HIV Response Towards Epidemic Control (ASPIRE) Project is strengthening Rivers State’s HIV response by building the capacity of health workers and supporting ad hoc staff, according to the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria’s ASPIRE Project Director, Dr. Stanley Idakwo.
Building on the gains made under the SURGE Project, also implemented by the Institute, the ASPIRE Project continues to support HIV services in the state. While funding challenges have reduced the number of ad hoc staff from over 3,000 to about 700, these workers — supported by the U.S. government — remain critical to HIV care and prevention. Efforts are ongoing to absorb qualified personnel into the civil service to sustain the progress achieved.
“Capacity building is key,” the Director said. “We train, mentor, and transfer skills across all service points, strengthening patient tracking, supply chain management, and quality improvement systems. This ensures consistent care and positions government staff to take ownership of services.”
He also told National Record that ownership and sustainability are central to the project. Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) collaborates closely with the Rivers State Government and Ministry of Health, aligning strategies with national priorities. The SURGE Consortium, comprising government agencies, private organizations, community leaders, and academia, has provided a platform for discussion, feedback, and sustainability planning.
IHVN has also supported the development of state policies, strategic plans, and the Rivers Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), while conducting joint monitoring and supervisory visits. Task shifting and service integration have further strengthened facilities and reduced dependence on donor-supported staff. “These efforts are yielding results,” the director added, “as trained staff increasingly take ownership of service delivery, ensuring a sustainable and effective HIV response for Rivers State.”
Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, the ASPIRE Project operates in four Nigerian states to support HIV epidemic control by strengthening laboratories, expanding prevention and treatment services, improving quality of care, and providing comprehensive, community-based support for people living with and affected by HIV.
Following the 2018 NAIIS, Rivers State was identified as a priority for HIV intervention. With a prevalence of 3.8%, well above the national average, efforts began in 2019 to address the high-unmet need.
