Continuous Discrimination Of HIV/AIDS Undermines Intervention, NACA, UNAIDS Insist

By Bukar BOLORI

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have called for an immediate stop in stigmatization of HIV/AIDS, lamenting that this has continue to undermine interventions across the HIV prevention, treatment and care continuum and constitute key human rights barriers to ending the scourge.

The group which addressed a joint press conference on Tuesday in Abuja noted that Today marks a significant milestone ni Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to promote the dignity and rights of al individuals living with, affected by or at risk of HIV and AIDS.”

They lamented that an estimated 1.9 million persons are living with HIV and AIDS, decrying that: “HIV-related stigma and discrimination, in all their forms, continue to undermine interventions across the HIV prevention, treatment and care continuum and constitute key human rights barriers to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. People living with HIV and communities most at risk still face stigma and discrimination at all levels – in their homes, communities, workplaces, withinhealth services, educational establishments and at policy level – impeding access to their basic human rights.”

They said as Nigeria joins the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination all hands must be on deck, noting that: “Evidence from the Nigeria People Living with HIV Stigma Index Survey 2.0 Report revealed that 2% of respondents have experienced stigma and discrimination. 10.9% of the respondents reported experiencing human rights abuse. Among those whose rights were abused, only 1 in 4 persons sought redress. 40.8% of those who did not seek redress reported the reason for not acting was because they were unaware of where and how to seek redress. 5% of those who did not seek redress were of the opinion that justice si a distant goal, while an additional 12% reported that they feared seeking redress might result ni HIV status disclosure.

“Help translate political and human rights commitments made at global, regional and national levels toward the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination into action at country level. Establish, strengthen and revitalize partnerships among stakeholders to implement and scale-up programmes toward ending all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

“Continuously generate and disseminate evidence-based data to inform policy and programming, to measure progress, and to support accountability toward the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination.”

Speakers at the event in commemoration of the zero discrimination day and rhe official launch of Nigeria’s membership,m emphasised the need to address deep-seated prejudices that fuel discrimination.

They agreed what kills people is not the virus, but the way society looks at them, highlighting cases where children have been expelled from school and workers denied employment due to their HIV status.

The partnership focuses on five key areas: healthcare, education, workplaces, justice systems, and community settings. With Nigeria now on board, stakeholders are expected to push for stronger implementation of the HIV/AIDS anti-discrimination law, which makes it illegal to deny employment or services based on HIV status.

The stakeholders admitted that the journey ahead will however not be easy because though laws exist, enforcement remains weak, and cultural biases persist hence advocates are stressing that real change will require widespread public education, legal reforms, and increased political will.