Hon. Amobi Ogah has urged African governments to take urgent steps in closing the widening domestic funding gaps in HIV/AIDS response, warning that over-reliance on donor support could derail decades of progress.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ogah described the funding crisis as “a ticking time bomb” that threatens millions of lives across the continent.
“Donor aid should be a supplement, not a guarantee,” he said. “African nations must take ownership of their health security by mobilizing domestic resources and investing sustainably in HIV/AIDS programs.”
According to him, domestic financing across many African countries currently covers only a fraction of the budget required to maintain treatment, prevention, and care. This gap, he warned, could lead to treatment interruptions, underfunded prevention efforts, and the collapse of critical community-based services.
Ogah recommended four key measures:
Increasing national budget allocations for HIV/AIDS. Exploring innovative financing such as health levies, insurance schemes, and public-private partnerships. Strengthening fiscal accountability to ensure funds are effectively utilized. Empowering local communities and civil society to drive grassroots implementation.
He cautioned that failing to close these gaps could jeopardize the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, while also undermining Africa’s workforce productivity and long-term economic stability.
The address drew strong reactions from health advocates, who commended Ogah for amplifying the urgency of domestic action. UNAIDS and the World Health Organization also signaled support, noting that sustainable, country-led financing remains the only pathway to long-term success.
Ogah concluded by calling for the upcoming Africa Health Summit to commit to bold, actionable financing reforms that would safeguard lives and protect Africa’s future generations.
