The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its inaugural meeting in 2025, on Monday, with the approval of the sum of N4.8 billion for the treatment of HIV patients across the country.
The approval came on the heels of the recent plan by President Donald Trump of the United States to suspend financial assistance to countries for HIV treatment, among others.
The Council also approved $1 billion for health governance and human capital development which the sub nationals are expected to benefit from.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.
According to him, the N4.8 billion approval would be for a period of four months to ensure that those who were HIV infested were taken care of despite the contribution of partners.
“The major approval is for the presidential treatment programme for HIV patients, 150,000 treatment packs, total of 4.8 billion naira the period of four months.
“That is an important statement that the federal government is making to ensure that those who are already HIV infected, even though we have partners that are supporting the treatment.
“But the federal government is already putting its resources to contribute, and we see that that is a signal that the support that the government is providing to those who are vulnerable to reduce the cost and to ensure that life saving treatment is available,” he said.
