Dr. Leo Zekeng, the UNAIDS Country Director and Representative for Nigeria, praised Heartland Alliance Nigeria (HALG) for its inclusive approach and achievements in providing services to both key populations and the general population. During an advocacy visit on May 30, 2023, by members of the HALG Senior Management Team at the UN House in Abuja, Dr. Zekeng commended HALG’s effective communication, impact, integration, professionalism, and team passion.The advocacy visit was organized to allow HALG’s management team discuss program achievements across available projects and highlight progress and key achievements across the thematic areas including Gender, human rights, and MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support), showcasing HALG’s success story including the Total Market Approach and the health services revolving funds as part of the organization’s sustainability plan.

Dr. Zekeng highlighted that HALG’s mission, vision, and core values align with the UNAIDS global strategy, which can further strengthen the partnership between the two organizations. He applauded HALG’s sustainability plan and encouraged the team to document and share high-level learnings for improved knowledge management and transfer.

HALG CEO, Dr. Ochonye Bartholomew Boniface, Chief of Party KP CARE 1, Dr. Emmanuel Godwin, and Chief of Party ACE6, Dr. Clifford Umeh, expressed their commitment to further partnership opportunities between UNAIDS and HALG to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. They also sought support and partnership in intensifying services for GBV, Health & Human Rights access, Mental Health, PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission), and the development of an advanced virtual platform for integrated services.