MoU for HIV/AIDS Signed by Nigeria and Clinton Foundation

The Nigerian government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Clinton Foundation of United States on Monday to allow the supply of affordable, high- quality drugs as well as diagnostics for HIV/AIDS treatment and care.

The MoU was signed at the Presidential Villa with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former U.S. president Bill Clinton who is on a visit to Nigeria, as witnesses.

According to the agreement, Nigeria is to be included in the Clinton Foundation's Procurement Consortium. This would be beneficial to Nigeria in terms of prices of drugs and diagnostics for HIV/AIDS, through the negotiated supplier agreements.

Chairman of the Board of the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative Ira Magaziner and Nigerian Minister of Health Eyitayo Lambo signed the MOU on behalf of the respective sides.

The Clinton foundation will be assisting Nigeria towards accessing pediatric HIV/AIDS care and treatment by enhancing their access to pediatric antiretroviral drugs as well as providing technical assistance.

In addition the foundation will help Nigeria to mobilize financial resources from donor governments, multilateral organizations, other foundations, private corporations and also individuals to fund HIV/AIDS interventions as also other identified needs.

The Nigerian government on its part is expected to regularly inform the Clinton Foundation of its priority areas in the effort to curb HIV/AIDS.

As far as possible, the government is to facilitate exemption from taxes and duties for equipment, services, materials and drugs required for the implementation of its MoU with the Foundation.

Obasanjo said that he hoped the MOU and partnership with Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative would provide a significant boost to ongoing efforts by the federal government to combat the pandemic.