Stigma still stifling HIV/AIDS control efforts – NACA

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has warned that Nigeria’s battle against HIV was being undermined by persistent stigma, in spite millions needing sustained treatment and support.

The Director-General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, made the assertion in Lagos on Tuesday at a Zero Stigma-Sensitisation Against Discrimination of People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The D-G was represented by Raheem Mohammed, South West Zonal Coordinator at NACA.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation, through NACA, is in collaboration with GEDERITE Nigeria Ltd., the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) and Improved Sexual Health and Right Advocacy Initiative (ISHRAI).

The Zero Stigma Campaign reflects a coordinated effort by government and partners to create safer, more inclusive environments for people living with HIV and to support Nigeria’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat.

Ilori said “Stigma remains a significant barrier in our national and state efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS, which is critical to achieving epidemic control.”

According to her, Nigeria has 1.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS while Lagos State alone accounts for 1.3 million.

“Lagos being Nigeria’s commercial and population hub remains a critical priority in HIV response.”

Available data, she noted, indicated that Lagos State had “over 1.3 per cent which translates into significant numbers of persons requiring sustained prevention, treatment and support services.”

Ilori said Ikeja, as an administrative and economic hub, attracts a high, mobile and diverse population, making sustained awareness creation on stigma and discrimination extremely important.

Stigma, she said, continued to deter people from seeking care and support due to fear of rejection, loss of employment and social exclusion.

She stressed that early testing and consistent treatment can suppress the virus and halt transmission.

She noted that the campaign would be repeated in some other local government areas this year, including Ikeja and Alimosho.

According to her, the aim is to promote accurate knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention, encourage acceptance and inclusion of people living with HIV.

She added that it also seeks to strengthen community support systems and improve uptake of HIV testing, treatment and other services.

Calling for a broad coalition, the NACA D-G urged communities, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, the media, families and caregivers to provide adequate support to fight stigma and discrimination.

Also, the CEO of Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr Folakemi Animashaun, said that Lagos State was revising a 2007 law protecting people living with HIV to close gaps in protection.

According to her, this is as stigma and discrimination persist across society.

“The review aims to strengthen legal protection, align the law with current best practices and further safeguard against discrimination.”

Animashaun added that legislation must support wider public health efforts.

“Stigma does not only occur within the health facility. It happens in our workplaces, schools, markets, motor parks, places of worship, and even within families.”

She called on government agencies, employers, service providers and community leaders to demonstrate zero tolerance for stigma in their daily actions by ensuring open, non-discriminatory services and using respectful language.

“With this campaign, we are sending a clear message.

“Discrimination against people living with HIV has no place in our society. HIV is not a death sentence”.

Ms Monica Obi, representing the Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, called for an end to HIV-related stigma.

She noted that discrimination was also driving pregnant women away from testing and treatment.

Obi, who also spoke for the Association of Women Living with HIV in Lagos, said fear of being labelled often forced many women to hide their status until after delivery, increasing the risk of mother‑to‑child transmission.

She urged collective action to ensure future generations were HIV‑free. (NAN)

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