Research and production of HIV vaccines - The federal Government yesterday revealed plans to work with the United State, Department of Defence to facilitate the research and production of HIV vaccines to stem its transmission.

Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu made this known while declaring open an international symposium on "new prevention technologies for HIV/AIDS" in Abuja.

He said since no cure is yet to be discovered, countries are presently investing in preventing new infections.

The health minister represented by the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Mansir Kabir added that "Nigeria national HIV vaccine development plan has been developed and recently modified under the guidance of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and given mandate to a national working group to oversee the overall implementation of the vaccine plan."

Earlier the Board Chairman of NACA, Professor Emeritus Umaru Shehu said it has become pertinent for Nigeria to fully pursue the development of the HIV vaccine.

The Director General of NACA Prof. John Idoko said the symposium is geared toward updating participants on current global, regional and national effort on new HIV prevention technologies in the areas of research and development.

The National Coordinator of Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPHWAN) Edward Ogenyi called for the passage of anti-stigma and discrimination bill still pending before the National Assembly.

Ruby Leo

Daily Trust/13/10/2011