Nigeria, July 28 -- Grace* spent years protecting two things: her health and a secret she never wanted exposed.

Every few months, a community health worker discreetly delivered her antiretroviral medicines to her home in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The arrangement allowed the bank worker to remain healthy without risking the questions that might follow if neighbours, customers, colleagues or fellow worshippers saw her entering an HIV treatment clinic.

That routine ended in February 2025.

Following international funding cuts that forced community drug delivery programmes to shut down, Grace had only one option: collect her medication herself from a treatment facility.

Someone recognised her walking into the HIV clinic, and within days, whisp...