Asian AIDS Action (AAA), Navi Mumbai, India and the Centre for HIV/AIDS and STD Research (CHISTRE), Lagos State, Nigeria have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a strategic international partnership aimed at strengthening HIV/AIDS programme development, treatment access, advocacy, and community health systems across Asia and Africa.
The partnership formalizes a shared commitment between both organizations to expand access to life-saving HIV treatment and improve health outcomes for vulnerable communities.
With over five decades of combined experience in HIV/AIDS advocacy, treatment access, public health systems strengthening, and policy engagement, AAA and CHISTRE are positioning this collaboration as a new model of South-South cooperation in the global HIV response.
“Survival should not depend on geography, and access to treatment is a right, not a privilege,” both organizations stated in the joint announcement.
About Asian AIDS Action (AAA)
Asian AIDS Action (AAA) is a pan-Asian HIV/AIDS advocacy and community health organization with roots in the global HIV movement dating back to 1988.
Led by Deep Kim Singh, Executive Director, AAA focuses on:
- HIV treatment access
- Policy reform and advocacy
- Community mobilization
- Global health diplomacy across Asia and beyond
AAA is also the publisher of Asia World News and maintains an active international Rotary partnership network.
Website: www.asianaidsaction.org
About CHISTRE
The Centre for HIV/AIDS and STD Research (CHISTRE) is a registered Nigerian non-governmental organization founded in 2003, with 25 years of experience implementing community-based interventions in:
- HIV/AIDS
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Viral Hepatitis
- Community health strengthening
Led by Nduka Ozor, Founder and Executive Director, CHISTRE currently operates in Lagos ,Abuja and Bauchi States, Nigeria, including implementation support under the Global Fund GC7 TB Programme.
CHISTRE is recognized for its strong grassroots implementation model and longstanding relationships with government health institutions and community stakeholders.
Key Joint Programmes Under the Partnership
500-Patient ARV Access Pilot – Nigeria
A flagship programme to provide antiretroviral treatment access to 500 patients in Nigeria, implemented by CHISTRE and supported through AAA’s international fundraising, pharmaceutical partnerships, and advocacy networks.
This initiative will run alongside a similar 500-patient programme in India, creating a combined 1,000-patient two-continent HIV treatment access pilot
TAF Transition Advocacy
AAA and CHISTRE will jointly advocate for Nigeria’s transition from TDF-based antiretroviral regimens to TAF-based regimens, which offer improved renal and bone safety profiles.
The initiative aligns with AAA’s parallel advocacy campaign in India and aims to generate real-world evidence to support policy change.
Stakeholder Engagement and Pharmaceutical Partnerships
The partnership will convene a strategic stakeholder meeting in Nigeria involving:
- National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)
- State AIDS Control Agencies (SACA)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
- Networks of People Living with HIV
- Pharmaceutical partners
The objective is to introduce the pilot programme and mobilize support for broader ARV access expansion.
Rotary AIDS Project – Nigeria
Through AAA’s Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai network, both organizations will activate a Rotary-supported HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment access initiative in Nigeria.
This programme is expected to mobilize international Rotary resources into the Nigerian HIV response.
AIDS 2026 – Rio de Janeiro
AAA and CHISTRE will jointly participate in the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) scheduled for July 26–31, 2026, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Activities will include:
- Co-authored research presentations
- Joint panel participation
- Co-branded advocacy materials highlighting the India-Nigeria partnership model
A New Model for Global HIV Collaboration
This partnership marks a significant milestone in global HIV/AIDS collaboration by linking two organizations from Asia and Africa through shared expertise, complementary strengths, and a unified commitment to treatment equity.
Both organizations have called on governments, donors, development partners, pharmaceutical companies, and international agencies to support the initiative.
“Together, we can close the gap between what is medically possible and what is practically accessible.”
Media and Partnership Contacts
Deep Kim Singh
Executive Director
Asian AIDS Action (AAA)
Navi Mumbai, India
Nduka Ozor
Founder & Executive Director
Centre for HIV/AIDS and STD Research (CHISTRE)
Lagos State, Nigeria
For partnership, sponsorship, and donor enquiries, please contact both signatories.
