AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA)
COMMUNIQUÉ
Issued at the 6th Session of AHOA’s 2026 ‘Life & Health’ Dialogue Series
THEME:
PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT ‘HIV’ IN AFRICA: EQUITY, FINANCING AND DATA
DATE: 10th February 2026
FORMAT: Hybrid Dialogue
ORGANIZER: Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA)
PREPARED BY: Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje; Programmes Director, AHOA
- PREAMBLE
On 10 February 2026, the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) convened the 6th session of its 2026 ‘Life & Health’ Dialogue Series in a hybrid format from Abuja, Nigeria. The Dialogue brought together policymakers, health practitioners, development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), researchers, youth leaders, and global stakeholders to address persistent challenges in pediatric and adolescent HIV across Africa, with a focus on equity, sustainable financing, and data-driven programming.
The session was chaired by Dr. Unice Goshomi (Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe), while the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje (Afrihealth Optonet Association, Nigeria). Participants highlighted that Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over 88% of children living with HIV globally, yet fewer than 60% currently receive treatment, underscoring the urgency of coordinated and inclusive action.
- KEY DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
2.1 Equity and Sustainable Financing
Participants emphasized the importance of equitable access to HIV testing, treatment, and care across gender, geographic, and socio-economic divides. Discussions highlighted the need for increased domestic resource mobilization, local production of HIV medications, and innovative financing models to support resilient health systems and long-term sustainability.
2.2 Policy Implementation Challenges
Stakeholders observed that global funding frameworks often fail to sufficiently engage communities and local actors. Participants called for stronger political commitment, improved accountability mechanisms, and inclusive stakeholder engagement to translate policies into measurable outcomes.
2.3 Cultural and Contextual Approaches
The Dialogue underscored the value of culturally relevant and evidence-based programming to enhance service uptake. Participants recommended integrating African heritage, community knowledge systems, and traditional medicine—where appropriate—with biomedical interventions to strengthen trust and acceptance.
2.4 Data-Driven Interventions
Real-time, disaggregated, and youth-sensitive data were recognized as essential tools for monitoring progress, guiding policy decisions, and identifying vulnerable populations. Strengthening national data systems and promoting transparency were identified as critical priorities.
2.5 Role of Civil Society and Youth Engagement
Participants acknowledged CSOs as indispensable partners in advocacy, policy development, service delivery, and community mobilization. Youth-friendly services, grassroots engagement, and peer-led initiatives were highlighted as key strategies to ensure effective program implementation and sustainable impact.
- COMMITMENTS AND AGREED NEXT STEPS
Participants collectively committed to the following actions:
a. Strengthen equity-driven pediatric and adolescent HIV interventions across Africa.
b. Promote sustainable and innovative financing mechanisms, including increased domestic investment.
c. Enhance data collection, management, and utilization to inform evidence-based policies and programs.
d. Foster multisectoral collaboration among governments, CSOs, health practitioners, youth networks, and development partners.
e. Integrate culturally sensitive and youth-focused approaches into national HIV strategies and programs.
The AHOA Secretariat will disseminate session recordings, presentations, and consolidated recommendations to support ongoing policy dialogue, advocacy, and implementation efforts.
- DISTINGUISHED DISCUSSANTS
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje – Afrihealth Optonet Association (Nigeria)
Dr. Unice Goshomi – Women’s University in Africa (Zimbabwe)
Ms. Lindokuhle Sibiya – Eswatini Youth and Women for Change
Paul Ekal Ebongon – Nomadic Art Studio (Kenya)
Dr. Taofik Oduola – Royal Impact Healthcare Society (Nigeria)
Ailin Katherine Palmera Amaya – InnovateUS (Colombia)
Charlotte Kalanbani – Initiatives pour TCHEWAI (Togo)
Abdou Diop – KokkiEnergie/Organisation (Senegal)
Amb. Tonbra Kasikoro Kilopirite – WIVES Int’l (Nigeria)
Mary Mbukpa – AidWorld Consulting (Nigeria)
Mr. Frank Asimbo – South Africa
Nicole Hendrickson – Trinidad & Tobago
- ABOUT AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA)
Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a global network and independent think-tank with member organizations in over 120 countries. The organization advances health equity, climate action, and sustainable development across Africa and the Global South through strategic partnerships, policy dialogue, project implementation, advocacy, research, capacity building/strengthening, outreaches, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). AHOA promotes resilient health systems, data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure measurable and sustainable impact. By bridging science, policy, and community action, AHOA contributes to inclusive development and improved outcomes for vulnerable populations worldwide.
Issued by:
Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) Secretariat
Abuja, Nigeria
10 February 2026
Contact:
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, CEO & Programmes Director
📧 ceo@afrihealthcsos.org | 📞 +2348034725905 | 🌐 https//www.afrihealthcsos.org
Plot 520 FHA Lugbe, Abuja, Nigeria / No. 1 Taiwo Close, Owerri, Nigeria
📞 🟢 +2348034725905 / ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3100-6336 /
Emails: ✉️afrepton@gmail.com / ✉️ceo@afrihealthcsos.org
Websites/URLs: 🌐 https://www.afrihealthcsos.org / 📝 https://druzodinmadirieje.blogspot.com /
📝 https://afrihealthcsos.blogspot.com/ / https://www.evalforearth.org/members/dr-uzodinma-adirieje/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@uaadirieje /
X: twitter.com/druzoadirieje /
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@druzodinmaadirieje1885
LinkedIn: https://ng.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Dr.+Uzodinma/Adirieje /
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Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@druzoadirieje
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Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) Network Coalition/Think-tank promotes policies, programmes & interventions to enhance productivity, accountability & transparency in Society Welfare/Social Safety nets, Development Work, Sustainable Dev’t & ‘One Health’ paradigm with Health as complete physical, mental and social well-being. AHOA uses partnership/collaboration, advocacy, research/evidence-generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring & evaluation as strategies; for the benefits of rural & poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable & disadvantaged populations of women, children, adolescents, persons with disability, orphans and elderly. We explore the nexus between Health – UHC, PHC, SRHR, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NCDs, NTDs, Immunization & COVID-19; Energy & Environment/Climate Change; Nutrition & Food Security; Gender, Democracy, Good Governance & Human Rights. AHOA has Consultative Status at UN ECOSOC & an Accredited Observer status at UNEP/UN Environment Assembly.