The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, described data repository programs such as the U.S.-supported National Data Repository (NDR) platform as a crucial component in accelerating access to life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to people living with HIV. The platform provides near real-time data to allocate resources, recognize successes, and identify areas needed for new strategies.
She stated this at the Strengthening HIV Field Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Surveillance, and Laboratory Diagnostics project (SHIELD) closeout ceremony, which was funded by the United States government through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and implemented by the University of Maryland at Baltimore (UMB) Nigeria with technical support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Ambassador described the successful completion of the project as an essential milestone in the U.S. government’s collaboration with the Government of Nigeria in HIV epidemic control efforts. “Over the past two years, it has been a great source of pride for me to witness the successful partnership between our governments on the national HIV response.” She attributed this success to the collective contributions and achievements of implementing partners and programs such as SHIELD. Overall, the US assistance supported more than 90 percent (1,649,188) of the estimated 1.8 million adults in Nigeria infected with HIV receiving treatment and propels the country to a point where HIV epidemic control is within reach.
 platform as a crucial component in accelerating access to life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to people living with HIV.){kind=link}