AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA)
Dear Neil,
SUMMARY OF REPORT, AND COMMUNIQUE OF ‘AHOA’s 2025 WORLD AIDS DAY COLLOQUIUM ON 'BREAKING THE DISRUPTION CYCLE IN HIV INTERVENTIONS: ENSURING CONTINUITY IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES'
The 2025 World AIDS Day Colloquium organized by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) examined strategies for breaking recurring disruptions in HIV interventions across Africa and the Global South. Opening the event, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje emphasized the need to strengthen resilience in HIV programs against shocks caused by conflict, pandemics, economic decline, weak governance, and supply chain breakdowns. Participants discussed the importance of sustainable financing through domestic resources such as health taxes, social insurance, private sector contributions, and innovative levies, stressing the need for governments to fully fund and implement national HIV investment plans.
The colloquium highlighted key priorities such as community-led monitoring, digital health systems, decentralized ART delivery, multi-month dispensing, and integration of HIV continuity services into primary healthcare. Speakers underscored the role of leadership in addressing socio-cultural drivers of HIV, including punitive laws, gender-based violence, rape, and stigma. They called for intensified prevention programs targeting males and key populations.
Major concerns were raised regarding Africa’s dependency on foreign aid and imported medical commodities. Participants advocated accelerating local and regional manufacturing of ARVs and essential supplies, supported by transparent digital health funds and public-private partnerships. Discussions also addressed pricing inequalities, inadequate primary health care infrastructure, and poor storage facilities for vaccines and commodities.
The group agreed on operational priorities such as emergency stockpiles, diversified procurement, early warning digital systems, protection of health workers, and catalytic partnerships rather than dependency. The colloquium concluded with commitments to expand domestic financing, strengthen community systems, enhance local research capacity, and support upcoming HIV/AIDS awareness programs, including the December workshop in Uyo, Nigeria.
Read the Communique here <https://afrihealthcsos.blogspot.com/2025/12/ahoas-communique-world-aids-...
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, DDP, CMC, CMTF, FAHOA, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FICSA
Global Health and Dev’t Projects Consultant | Conferences Organizer | Trainer|
Facilitator | Researcher | M&E Expert | Civil Society Leader | Policy Advocate
CEO & Permanent Representative,
Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) – CSOs global Network & Think-tank
+2348034725905 / ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3100-6336
afrepton@gmail.com / ceo@afrihealthcsos.org / X: twitter.com/druzoadirieje
https://www.afrihealthcsos.org, https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com
LinkedIn: https://ng.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Dr.+Uzodinma/Adirieje
HIFA Profile: Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a leading voice in health education, community health, and advocacy, with decades of experience advancing people-centered development across Africa and beyond. His approach to health education emphasizes participatory learning, knowledge transfer, and behavior change communication, ensuring that individuals and communities gain the skills and awareness to make informed decisions about their health. He develops and delivers innovative health promotion strategies tailored to local realities, particularly in resource-limited settings. In community health, Dr. Adirieje has championed integrated primary health care, preventive medicine, and grassroots health initiatives. Through Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), which he leads, he connects civil society, community groups, and health institutions to strengthen healthcare delivery, tackle health inequities, and improve access to essential services for vulnerable populations. His work addresses infectious diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, climate and health, environmental health, and emerging public health challenges. As a passionate advocate, Dr. Adirieje works with governments, NGOs, and international organizations to influence health policy, mobilize resources, and promote sustainable development goals (SDGs). He amplifies community voices, ensuring that health systems are inclusive, accountable, and responsive. His advocacy extends beyond health to governance, environment, and social justice, positioning him as a multidisciplinary leader shaping healthier and more equitable societies. afrepton AT gmail.com