Q & A with Dr. Lucas and Dr. Nasidi

Advisory Council members Dr. Adetokunbo Lucas and Dr. Abdulsalami Nasidi reflect on APIN's progress thus far.

As an APIN Advisory Council member, can you assess APIN's impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria? Has APIN made a significant difference?

Dr. Lucas: Yes! Working in close collaboration with the national program, APIN has provided valuable expertise, especially with regard to the scientific basis for the control of the disease. Through significant improvement of research laboratories, APIN has also strengthened the capacity of local scientists to tackle critical issues. For example, APIN input has provided modern scientific facilities at laboratories in Jos and Ibadan.

Dr. Nasidi: Yes, APIN has made a significant impact though the provision of good laboratory support and the encouragement of Nigerian scientists involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

In your view, has APIN fulfilled its promise thus far?

Dr. Lucas: Yes. Nigeria is a very large country, and APIN has limited its operations to a few states. Other states will benefit from the lessons learned from the APIN program. They also benefit through training programs that APIN sponsored.

What can APIN do to improve its effectiveness going forward?

Dr. Lucas: The fight against HIV/AIDS requires a long-term commitment. The initial grant to APIN was a short-term program to test its feasibility. A longer-term commitment would enable APIN and its collaborators in Nigeria to consolidate their projects and make forward-looking plans.

Dr. Nasidi: First, APIN can increase training of Nigerians in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Second, APIN can expand support to the parts of the country that are most affected by HIV/AIDS.

What are the biggest challenges that APIN faces in the future?

Dr. Lucas: A number of interesting projects are now well established. Over the next few years, APIN has to manage these initiatives so as to demonstrate verifiable outcomes and significant impact.

Dr. Nasidi: APIN has to consolidate its gains and increase impact and acceptance nationwide.

What have we learned from APIN that might be applied in other African countries?

Dr. Lucas: APIN's experience demonstrates the value of working closely with national authorities in planning and managing a comprehensive program for the control of HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Nasidi: First, the motivation of scientific groups and encouragement of scientific thinking as a tool for effective control of HIV/AIDS. Second, good financial management and well established headquarters for operation.

How will the new PEPFAR grant complement APIN's work?

Dr. Lucas: The PEPFAR grant will enable APIN to support the national ART program. The additional resources would make it possible to enroll more patients for treatment and to improve the quality of care.

Dr. Nasidi: It will increase its spread, provide outreach to the neediest and most affected areas, and also bring high quality therapy with good GCP and GLP.

Because of the PEPFAR money going to APIN and other organizations in the United States, do you believe that Americans now better understand the AIDS crisis in Africa?

Dr. Lucas: To some extent, the grant brings the issue to the attention of people in the USA, but there is still poor understanding in the country of the overall development situation in Africa. HIV/AIDS in Africa must be viewed in the context of poverty and other development challenges. A small grant to treat a few patients is only a small part of what is required to make a difference to the situation in Africa.

Dr. Nasidi: Not necessarily, but it will send a message that the American government is now providing the most important humanitarian support to Africa in its history.

How does Nigeria's fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic compare to the progress being made against the disease in other African countries?

Dr. Lucas: Nigeria started late in its fight against HIV/AIDS, but under the leadership of President Obasanjo, the situation has significantly improved. The prevalence of the infection around 5 percent is higher than in countries that have achieved effective control, such as Senegal, with less than 2 percent. But it is lower than some severely affected countries in southern Africa. Previous surveillance reports had shown a steady rise in the prevalence of the infection at sentinel sites. The most recent report for 2003 suggests that the prevalence has reached a plateau and hopefully will begin to decline in response to the national effort.

Dr. Nasidi: Nigeria has made some progress in its fight against AIDS and has actually initiated useful programs for the continent to emulate such as the use of generic drugs. However, I believe it still behind countries like Uganda and Senegal that have made much more progress. APIN support and other achievements such as the GFATM grants are also helping to improve things

Dr. Nasidi, you have a role in helping to plan the next ICASA conference that is scheduled to be held in Abuja in December 2005. What role will APIN play in the ICASA conference?

Dr. Nasidi: APIN will offer organizational support and will promote the scientific contributions of Nigerians. Also, we will promote the good name of the great Gates family. They are our friends and we cherish their support.