Cross River and Bayelsa Partner with Firm to Sustain HIV Treatment Amid Funding Challenge

In response to the recent collapse of USAID-funded healthcare supply chains, the governments of Cross River and Bayelsa States have joined forces with logistics provider Zipline to secure uninterrupted delivery of HIV medications to hospitals and healthcare centers, without incurring extra costs to the states.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Zipline highlighted the widespread impact of the disrupted USAID-funded systems, which have left critical gaps in healthcare services globally.

“It is estimated that since the Trump administration’s foreign aid freeze took effect in January 2025, more than 40,000 people globally have died from the loss of HIV antiretroviral drugs alone. With the stop-work order now extended by an additional 30 days, Nigerian national and state governments are stepping up to ensure that their citizens continue to have access to life-saving medication.

“In partnership with Zipline, Bayelsa and Cross River States are reimagining what their healthcare supply chains will look like without donor support, leveraging their existing state-led initiatives to make their healthcare systems more reliable and equitable than before.

“For example, Zipline immediately took over antiretroviral therapy deliveries for 33,000 people living with HIV and, within a matter of days, delivered thousands of ARV doses. The states are additionally working toward resuming malaria, tuberculosis, and nutrition care through Zipline (all supply chains that ran on a parallel system funded by USAID that ceased working once donor support was withdrawn),” it stated.

It said, building on existing relationships at the state and federal levels, Zipline’s innovative approach will be instrumental in strengthening the states’ health logistics infrastructure.

“This effort is further reinforced by a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Federal Ministry of Health in September 2024, paving the way for broader national adoption of Zipline’s drone delivery technology.

“The company is also in conversations with neighbouring states that could be served from Zipline’s existing distribution facilities in Bayelsa and Cross River, with plans to establish an additional hub in southern Cross River to ensure full coverage of all 18 local government areas.

“Since Zipline’s partnership with Cross River State started in 2023, over two million vaccine doses have been delivered, helping Cross River become the most-vaccinated state in Nigeria,” it noted.

The statement further noted that Zipline currently supports over 650 health facilities and drop points across Bayelsa and Cross River States, having trained more than 600 community healthcare workers and mobilizers to enhance local healthcare capacity.

Dr. Vivien Otu, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, praised the impact, saying, “Zipline has been a transformative partner for us in Cross River State. The service is both reliable and cost-effective, enabling us to consistently reach residents, even in hard-to-reach, riverine areas, with the medical supplies they need. We remain committed to investing in technology-driven solutions to strengthen our healthcare system and protect lives and livelihoods across the state.”

Echoing this sentiment, Akin Oyediran, Partnerships Executive at Zipline Nigeria, added, “The progress in Cross River and Bayelsa States demonstrates the potential of drone technology to revolutionize healthcare logistics, offering a valuable blueprint for other states in Nigeria and beyond.”

“Deliveries are not just faster but also more predictable, building more confidence in the healthcare system. Zipline is helping to create more resilient health systems, and it is a powerful testament to how intentional government decisions can lead to transformational outcomes.”

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) reports that out of more than two million Nigerians living with HIV, 1,753,425 are aware of their status. This group includes 1,693,457 adults, comprising 579,209 men and 1,114,401 women, along with 54,983 children aged 0 to 14.