Gate - the The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC)

medical laboratories. For example, we found two laboratories on the main road in the community of
Mpape (one of the "hotspots") that offered testing for HIV. Those laboratories reported that they
have a thriving business of testing among the local population.
Discussion
A recurring theme among the governmental hospitals and health centers is the lack of funding for
personnel, equipment, and other needs. All of the facilities visited had first-hand contact with
HIV/AIDS cases, and they all reported referring cases to the larger, better supported facilities, both
governmental and private. Although the informants in government hospitals and other health
facilities reported that they had had training concerning HIV/AIDS, it was evident that there is need
for further, up-dated training among the health care personnel. There were also some reports of
continuing stigmatization in the health care settings.
Non-Governmental Organizations involved in HIV/AIDS
There are a very large number of NGOs, CBOs and faith-based organizations (FBOs) involved in
HIV/AIDS activities in the Abuja area. Lists of those organizations were obtained from the FACA
(Federal Action Committee for AIDS) and from some of the networking organizations, such as
CISNHAN and NEPWHAN. During interviews with individual organizations, a number of other
CBOs, NGOs and others were mentioned. The majority of the larger organizations are located in the
Garki area of Abuja, but there are branches and local units in some of the outlying areas. Local
groups of people living with HIV/AIDS may be active without getting officially registered, and
without identifying themselves to governmental and non-governmental organizations. Thus, there
are likely to be many very small, localized organizations that are potentially important in the area.
Large International NGOs and other Organizations
Abuja has offices of a large number of International organizations with various kinds of HIV/AIDS
projects, such as Action AIDS, Family Health International (FHI), CEDPA, DfiD, and others.
These organizations have not been a primary focus of our situation assessment, because their
activities tend to be mediated or "operationalized" through the various other government and NGO
groups at more local levels. On the other hand, the "networking NGOs" are important, as they are
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