The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) was established in 2004 to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Nigeria through the development of infrastructure for treatment, care, prevention, and support to people living with and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

As a model local partner organization, it is also structured to maintain linkages with IHV-Baltimore and the University of Maryland to promote capacity development and collaboration within the health sector in Nigeria. IHVN also conducts research and training in research methodologies and ethics intended to enhance the capacity of Nigeria to effectively mitigate HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Click here to view IHV-Nigeria Structure & Mission

The Institute shares a common mission of service, teaching, and research with the Institute of Human Virology of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, USA and is led by Dr. William A. Blattner, Director of IHV’s Epidemiology and Prevention Division, as Principal Investigator.

Many of the activities of the Institute are funded by awards through the University of Maryland Baltimore. Examples include awards from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a research project focused on new HIV infections as well as an award from the United States National Institutes of Health, Fogarty AIDS Training and Research Program to train Nigerian research scientists.

In addition, IHVN is collaborating locally to support prevention, treatment and care for people living and affected by HIV/AIDS in Nigeria through its PEPFAR-funded AIDS Care and Treatment in Nigeria (ACTION) Project.  IHVN supports the Government of Nigeria through collaboration and capacity building with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA). IHVN also implements the Global Fund (GF) and Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) programs as Sub-Recipient to NACA, National Malaria Control Program of the FMOH.

The Institute, which as of March 2006 was supporting 7 treatment sites in 5 states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, now supports treatment sites comprising of primary, secondary and tertiary health centers in 24 states. 13 of the hospitals it supports are University Teaching Hospitals.

Click here to view Affliated Teaching Hospitals

It has delivered ARV services in 86 treatment centers, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in 137 sites and tuberculosis TB services in 81 sites. The Institute has 139 HIV counseling and testing (HCT) service centers in the country.

Click here to view ACTION Scale-up efforts

As of 30th June 2010, the Institute is providing 155,987 patients with care and support for HIV/AIDS out of which 102,213 are receiving ARV drugs and treatment on the Emergency Plan for AIDS relief. In addition, 1,144,415 people including pregnant women have been counseled, tested and given results of their HIV status. IHVN/ACTION is also providing care and support to 40,534 orphans and vulnerable children.