Objectives of IHVN

The Institute has set these aims and objectives for accomplishing its goals:

• To provide intellectual and human resources to build capacity to address HIV/AIDS in Nigeria

• To build University infrastructure to support a long-term commitment to Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS

• To establish academic and research relationships that enhance collaborations between the University of Maryland and similar institutions in Nigeria

• To foster training and research opportunities for Nigerians drawn from academic, governmental and non-governmental organizations

• To implement the goals of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) including:

• Building capacity for HIV care and treatment

• Building capacity for prevention of mother-to-child transmission through programs of therapy intervention and avoidance of breast milk transmission

• Assisting in building capacity for monitoring and evaluating the impact of interventions on patient well-being and efficacy of such programs

• Building laboratory capacity within the health care structure to support HIV diagnosis, diagnosis of co-incident opportunistic infections, staging of persons with HIV, and monitoring clinical response and drug safety

• Building quality control and quality assurance infrastructures for Nigeria in support of HIV care and treatment

• Training care providers in the use of antiretroviral therapy and the provision of such drugs in concert with the Nigerian HIV Plan

• Training health care workers in updated HIV management guidelines including treatment adherence

• Providing continuing education to providers involved in HIV care

• Assisting the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Action Committee on AIDS in developing the evidence base for guiding policy on treatment and assist in developing solutions for treatment failure and addressing strategies for co-treating HIV and other opportunistic infections

• Improving access to health services for all HIV affected individuals by assisting in the development of networks of care

• Providing assistance in building capacity for counseling and care for HIV/AIDS and improve education about HIV assisting in developing programs aimed at protecting most at risk populations and orphans and vulnerable children in the HIV care continuum

• Developing peer and other support structures for treatment adherence for people living with HIV/AIDS involving peer support programs and family involvement