HIV-discordant couples in Kano State are facing potential separation and increased infection risks following the United States government's suspension of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) support through USAID across Nigeria and parts of Africa and Asia.
The Save Lives Sustainable and Counselling Initiative, a Kano-based non-governmental organization, has raised alarm over the growing crisis affecting couples where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not.
Speaking to reporters, Comrade Haruna Ado Sani, the organization's Programme Director, highlighted the severe impact on families who previously relied on PrEP medication to maintain their relationships safely.
"Previously, PrEP helped strengthen relationships and marriages between people living with HIV and their HIV-negative partners. But now, with the support withdrawn, many of these couples are left in fear and uncertainty," Sani explained.
Families in Crisis
The situation has created emotional distress for many families. One HIV-positive man, who requested anonymity, revealed that his six-year marriage now hangs in the balance.
"My wife agreed to marry me because of how much she loves me and after doctors assured her she would not get infected if she took the medication. But now, we're living in fear — worried about the future for ourselves and our two children," he said.
The man added that he would be willing to purchase the medication out-of-pocket if it were available, to protect his marriage and family.
Complicating matters further is the reluctance of some couples to use condoms as an alternative protection method, according to the organization's director.
Government Response Lacking
The crisis began in January when U.S. President Donald Trump suspended USAID's operations, claiming the agency was involved in funding terrorism. This disruption has affected the supply of HIV drugs across multiple countries.
While the Nigerian federal government announced a ₦5 billion fund to purchase HIV medication, Comrade Sani stated that their organization has not received any support or official communication regarding this initiative.
"We've not received any drugs from the government. We only heard in the media that funds were allocated, but no one has contacted us or delivered any medication," he noted.
The organization did clarify that pregnant women married to HIV-positive partners are still eligible to receive PrEP medication as part of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Urgent Call for Action
The Save Lives Initiative is urging the federal government to act swiftly by restoring access to PrEP or providing alternative protection for HIV-discordant couples. They warn that continued inaction could lead to new infections, emotional distress, and the breakdown of families across the region.
Health advocates emphasize that without immediate intervention, the progress made in HIV prevention among discordant couples could be reversed, potentially creating a new wave of infections in communities already struggling with the disease.
