Phase II of the APIN program will be guided by the four cardinal points outlined below:

1.
Consolidation of ongoing work in the 3 target states of Phase I (Lagos, Oyo and Plateau) with a gradual expansion to 2 or 3 additional States during Phase II. These additional states will be selected in consultation with the APIN Advisory Council and based on a review by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his representatives in the FMOH and NACA. The criteria shall include (a) location in the northern and eastern parts of the country, to improve the balance of APIN’ activities among the geopolitical zones of Nigeria, (b) explicit commitment from the state government and (c) the availability of appropriate institutions with which APIN might collaborate.

2.
Focus on strategic issues in which APIN, and Harvard University in particular, have a comparative advantage. Within the framework of the Nigerian program for AIDS control, APIN will concentrate its efforts on capacity building and on supporting local efforts to improve the scientific foundation for effective AIDS prevention. These include, for example, (a) surveillance in support of evidence-based prevention of HIV/AIDS, (b) prevention of HIV transmission among high-risk groups, (b) training of staff and equipping laboratories for diagnostic and selected treatment services, (c) training of health and social workers in HIV/AIDS control at the community level, (d) prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and (e) policies and programs linking HIV/AIDS control with the poverty reduction in Nigeria.

3.
Technical support to ensure a scientifically sound approach to the treatment of persons infected with HIV (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, HAART). Recognizing (a) the growing needs, (b) the political commitment of the government, (c) the severe weakness of the health system to implement antiretroviral therapy on a large scale, (d) the risk of drug-resistant strains of HIV becoming prevalent if inappropriate treatment regimes were implemented and (e) the need for Nigerian leadership of this effort, APIN will explore and undertake the following activities:

• Targeted technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health for needs assessment and planning, covering the status of infrastructure to support HAART, the readiness of Nigerian health sector and a pragmatic, phased approach to the countrywide implementation of HAART based on sound clinical practice, adequate laboratory backup, effective community organization and operational research.
  
  
• Capacity building for selected Nigerian hospitals and laboratories through training and twinning arrangements with experienced worked and institutions in Africa (e.g., Senegal) and the United States and training.
  
  
• Estimation and projection of incremental resource requirements for a sustained program of HAART, to make more concrete the resource implications of this program and to serve as a tool for resource mobilization.

4.
Support for the formulation of policies and strategies to integrate HIV/AIDS control into the development agenda of Nigeria. APIN will continue the ongoing partnership with NISER and explore other opportunities to (a) strengthen the Nigerian capacity for research and policy analysis regarding the economic determinants and impacts of HIV/AIDS, (b) formulate approaches to integrating AIDS control into the Poverty Reduction Strategy, (c) develop a Federal AIDS Account and State AIDS accounts to guide resource allocation for HIV/AIDS programs, (d) ensure rational allocation of resources, including the use of the criterion of cost-effectiveness, and (e) mobilize additional resources for AIDS control in the event of debt relief for Nigeria.