Twenty years ago, Nigeria had no organized response targeting the key populations, as the epidemic was still evolving after the first case was reported in 1985. There was a high level of silence due to ignorance, then denial due to fear, and shame, and discrimination due to inadequate knowledge. This was fueled by a lack of understanding of sexual diversity and gender identity.
With exceptional technical and financial support from PEPFAR through USAID/Nigeria and building on the rich heritage of over 130 years of experience of Heartland Alliance for human needs and human rights, the organization has grown to become one of the largest PEPFAR-funded key populations (KP) programs globally, serving over 85,000 KPs living with HIV.
The fact that we have an immediate and sustained impact on improving the quality of life of the program participants is awesome. Our work is critical and contributing to a better society accepting human diversity and integrating human rights in the public health sector is so great. We are committed to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. We are excited to provide leadership, mentorship, and support to achieve a healthy society where everyone is contributing to solutions and the vulnerable persons are empowered to make decisions and jointly monitor implementation through.
Heartland Alliance is a household name when it comes to KP programming in Nigeria. We have succeeded in humanizing the KP program implementation in the country, opening the spaces through targeted safe spaces and drop-in-centers which transformed into one-stop shops across the country. It is interesting to note that even faith-based groups and some governmental agencies have accepted key populations programs due to the good work Heartland Alliance has done in over a decade.
With support from USAID Nigeria, Heartland Alliance Focal Service Providers who are trained community care providers take lifesaving services to hard-to-reach creek communities.
We have a unique approach to working with the various typologies of the KP community for specialized services. This includes services to men at high risk, transgender persons, MSM, sex workers, people who use drugs, adolescent and young persons, women, and girls at high risk, emancipated minors, other vulnerable persons, and groups like persons in correctional and custodial centers, etc. This approach has helped in reducing morbidity and mortality among the key populations, mobilizing the community for change, impact, and building trust across the landscape of HIV and KP implementation in Nigeria.
We see people transform from being recipients of services and program participants to becoming service providers and torchbearers for the right holders in the community. The evolution of individuals into groups who become associations/organizations to defend the rights of community members gives us unprecedented joy. The smile on the face of PLHIV parents who have children who are free of HIV infection is so comforting. The transition from silence and denial to accepting status and commencing treatment, and becoming virally suppressed is an amazing experience for the PLHIV and the service providers.
New communities continue to be identified and prioritized for services as we ensure everyone who needs services is reached, regardless of their location.
Heartland Alliance, Nigeria
Years as a USAID/PEPFAR partner: 14