The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) and the Gift Lupus Foundation have formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening national efforts toward improved awareness, education, advocacy, and clinical understanding of
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and other types of Lupus in Nigeria and across Africa.

The signing ceremony took place at the APHPN National Secretariat in Abuja and marks a significant milestone in collaborative public health efforts targeted at addressing autoimmune diseases, particularly lupus, which remains widely underdiagnosed and poorly understood in many parts of the country.

The MoU was signed by the President of APHPN, Dr Terfa Kene, on behalf of the association, while Dr. Lovette Ikongo Ononuga, Founder of the Gift Lupus Foundation Abuja, signed on behalf of the
Foundation.

Speaking at the ceremony, both parties emphasized the urgent need to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding lupus among healthcare professionals and the general public. The partnership is
designed to promote joint initiatives including public awareness campaigns, capacity building for
health workers, community outreach programmes, patient support systems, and advocacy for improved diagnosis and treatment pathways.

According to the two organizations, lupus remains a complex autoimmune disease that often presents with varied symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and increased patient suffering. This
partnership therefore seeks to enhance early detection, strengthen clinical management capacity,
and improve the overall quality of care available to patients in Nigeria.

The APHPN President, Dr Terfa Kene, noted that the association remains committed to advancing
public health priorities through strategic partnerships that address emerging and neglected health conditions. He reaffirmed APHPN’s dedication to supporting evidence-based interventions
that improve population health outcomes.

On her part, Dr. Lovette Ikongo Ononuga described the MoU as a “major step forward” in the fight against lupus-related stigma, misinformation, and late diagnosis. She expressed confidence that the
collaboration will expand national awareness and bring greater visibility to the challenges faced by individuals living with lupus.

Signed: John Iyongo, Special Adviser, Media, knowledge Management and Business Development
Office of the President, APHPN