The Kano State Government has enrolled 4,200 people living with HIV (PLHIV) and more than 600 orphans and vulnerable children into its health insurance scheme, officials announced on Monday as part of activities marking the 2025 World AIDS Day.
The state commissioner for health, Abubakar Labaran, said the initiative—implemented through the Kano State Health Trust Fund in partnership with development agencies—reflects the government’s commitment to supporting residents affected by HIV.
“Kano State currently has 37,825 people living with HIV, including 4,381 children, and we have recorded 551 deaths so far in 2025,” Mr. Labaran said.
He noted that this year’s commemoration highlights the urgency of strengthening domestic financing for HIV response, especially as donor support continues to decline. To address this, the government increased the annual budget for the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA) from about N300 million to N2 billion starting in 2025.
“We have released about N500 million this year alone to cushion the gaps created by disruptions in external funding,” he added, stressing Governor Abba Yusuf’s commitment to equitable and non-discriminatory healthcare.
Labaran outlined the state’s priorities for 2025, including reducing stigma, expanding treatment access, improving prevention services, and protecting vulnerable groups. He said the government had passed an Anti-Stigma and Discrimination Law and broadened access to the state’s contributory health scheme for PLHIV.
He also highlighted several achievements recorded in the past year, such as the installation of 24-hour solar power at the SACA office, procurement of operational vehicles, strengthened data systems, and the launch of Nigeria’s first full-scale “triple elimination” programme for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis across six pilot health facilities. The project targets pregnant women receiving antenatal care.
In addition, a new paediatric TB/HIV clinic is under construction at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, fully funded by the state government.
On service delivery, the commissioner reported that Kano conducted 607,720 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 2,440 new cases and placing 2,388 individuals on treatment. Overall, 37,825 people are currently receiving care in various health facilities.
The state also made gains in preventing mother-to-child transmission. Out of 238,495 pregnant women tested during their first antenatal visit, only 34 were positive. Among 31,277 children tested under age 15, 68 were found positive and immediately placed on treatment. Kano also recorded the highest number of early infant diagnosis tests nationwide this year, using the M-PIMA technology.
Labaran reaffirmed Kano’s commitment to the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030 and urged residents to continue supporting affected individuals and combating stigma.
KSACA director-general Usman Bashir said the World AIDS Day event was organised to honour people living with HIV and remember those who have lost their lives.
“We are here to show love and solidarity,” he said.
