*****”AHOA Boss, Dr Adirieje Hosts Global Dialogue on HIV, Cancer Care Integration
*********AHOA Says, “Over 40 Million People Are Living With HIV Globally; 1.3 Million People Newly Inflected Annually”.
********As AHOA Boss Says, “HIV, Cancer Care Integration, a Panacea to Improving Health Outcomes of Low & Middle-income Countries”
By Victor Bieni, Abuja
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Afrihealth Optonet Association, Dr Uzodinma Adirieje, has said that he recently convened a global dialogue which drew the attendance of health experts across the globe on February 3, 2026, for the 5th edition of its ‘Life and Health’ Dialogue Series in a hybrid event with a special focus on the theme: “HIV/AIDS, Cancers Service Delivery and Community Health Systems.
Royal Paradise Media (News Online) learnt this from Nigerian Global Health & Development expert in a telephone conversation with our reporter today being on Thursday, April 30, 2026 as Dr Uzodinma Adirieje stated that the event had policymakers, civil society leaders, and community health practitioners from several regions and other critical stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking further to our reporter by the Nigerian health economist and civil society advocate, Dr Uzodinma Adirieje stated that he moderated the one-hour dialogue. He added that HIV, Cancer Care Integration is a panacea to improving health outcomes of low Middle-income Countries.
In the words of AHOA Boss: “Ahead of the event, Afrihealth Optomet Association had called for stronger integration of HIV/AIDS and cancer services within community health systems. No doubt, such integration is essential for improving health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries”.
“In my keynote opening address, I highlighted the urgency of the dual burden. As I stated that over 40 million people are living with HIV globally, with about 1.3 million new infections recorded annually. Cancer cases also continue to rise, with more than 19 million new cases and nearly 10 million deaths reported worldwide in 2024.
“My explanation here is that many health systems in underserved communities still face fragmented service delivery. Limited diagnostic capacity and inadequate follow-up care remain major challenges. Therefore, integrating HIV/AIDS and cancer services at the community level offers a practical pathway to ensuring continuity of care and better patient outcomes”.
“I also cited regional examples to support integrated models. And referenced Kenya’s “One-Stop Clinic” model, which combines HIV care with cancer screening. I also mentioned community-based interventions in South Africa that increased cancer screening rates among HIV-positive individuals. I however, backed it up with Pilot programmes in Nigeria’s Lagos and Kaduna States that improved patient engagement through integrated awareness campaigns”.
“The dialogue aimed to generate actionable solutions for policymakers and programme managers. We stressed the role of community health workers, local facilities, and patient support networks in expanding access and reducing stigma. We advised health experts, other critical stakeholders on the need to adopt digital health tools and patient tracking systems to strengthen service delivery and accountability”.
“The dialogue was not just a conversation; it is a catalyst for action. During the dialogue session, we called on stakeholders to commit to collaborative, patient-centred care within resilient health systems. We emphasized that civil society advocacy remains critical to influencing policy and funding priorities for equitable health outcomes”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a Nigerian global health and development expert, health economist, and civil society leader. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Programmes Director of the Afrihealth Optonet Association, a global civil society network and think-tank with over 3,000 member organisations in more than 120 countries. AHOA works at the intersection of health, climate action, and sustainable development”.
“Dr. Adirieje has extensive experience in policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable development practice. He has provided technical leadership for key national and international initiatives, including Nigeria’s National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and independent evaluations of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. His work covers health systems strengthening, climate justice advocacy, civil society mobilisation, and evidence-based policy engagement”.
“Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a respected voice in global development discourse, he convenes the Life and Health Dialogue Series, a platform for advancing policy dialogue on health, climate, and sustainable development across Africa and the Global South. He is a Certified Management Consultant and an advocate for equity-driven development. Dr. Adirieje promotes integrated approaches that link health, environment, and governance to achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes”.