An Analysis of the Impact of Hiv/Aids and the Level of Funding in Nigeria

Nigeria is the tenth largest country in the world and Africa's most populous nation. In 2002, the population of Nigeria was estimated at 133 million with a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $328 [UNDP, 2003]. Nigeria has had a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic since 1986 when the first case of AIDS was formally reported. The epidemic is generalized; affecting men and women, urban and rural areas with almost equal intensity (UNAIDS 2002). Recent estimates from UNAIDS and other sources indicate that adult HIV prevalence has increased steadily from 1.8 percent of the population in 1991 to nearly 6 percent a decade later, with infection rates in some parts of the country as high as 16 percent. The potential for infection rates to intensify is high, and unless prevention and treatment services are greatly improved, it is possible that the country could face prevalence rates similar to those seen in Southern Africa (National Intelligence Council, 2002). Twenty years ago, few would have predicted the current state of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. As Nigeria enters a third decade with high HIV prevalence rate and the likelihood of an effective vaccine, or even widespread availability of therapeutic medication, still low, many thousands more are likely to die from AIDS than have died already over the past two decades. This fact, together with increasing stress on health infrastructures and lack of institutional supports for social services, means that the country is likely to be under enormous strain as they attempt to cope with the consequences of AIDS morbidity and mortality - not to mention the burden future generations will likely have to bear in dealing with the pandemic. In addition to the psychological and social strain, the increase in HIV infections and AIDS deaths among adults in their prime has implications for the public financing of services for the older population, from health care to pensions to welfare. Instead of contributing to these measures, the increase in the number of adults affected by HIV/AIDS will reduce the resources available and increase competition for these services