A consultant urologist, Dr. Ogah, has urged Nigerians to reject the newly introduced HIV prevention injection priced at ₦70,000, describing it as unrealistic and insensitive to the nation’s economic realities.According to him, the major factors fueling unprotected sex and the spread of HIV in Nigeria are poverty, unemployment, and a lack of proper sex education — not a lack of access to expensive preventive drugs.
“In a country where the minimum wage is ₦70,000 — and several states are struggling to even pay that — how can anyone justify asking citizens to spend the same amount on a single injection?” he questioned.Dr. Ogah emphasized that instead of pushing high-cost medications, the government and health agencies should focus on tackling the root causes of risky sexual behavior by improving economic conditions, providing affordable healthcare, and expanding public awareness campaigns.
He further noted that public health initiatives must be designed with affordability and accessibility in mind, warning that pricing such preventive treatments beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians defeats their intended purpose.