An expert who has been living positively with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) for up to 13 years, has raised an alarm over the spread of new HIV infections, occasioned by the stigmatisation of people living with HIV (PLWH).
Executive Director of Care For All Organisation, Mrs Funmi Okafor, who spoke during the last World AIDS Day programme, in Lagos, lamented that stigma was one major factor that drives PLWH underground, compelling many to keep mum about their status and in attempts to hide their HIV status, end up living negatively, all to the detriment of the larger society.
According to Okafor, ending stigma and discrimination against PLWH, could encourage affected persons to live openly about their HIV status.
During the programme which was organised by the Care For All Organisation with support from the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Okafor said, “HIV does not kill, It’s the stigma and discrimination of PLWH that kills, Someone that you live with and eat together will suddenly keep away because he heard that you are HIV positive.
“When he sees you coming he runs away and keeps his distance because he heard that you are HIV positive. An affected PLWH will subsequently stay indoors, worrying, which results to psychological problems.”
She said, subsequently the affected persons will be hiding their status as they do not want people around to know that they HIV positive. They will be hiding it, while sharing blade and other sharp objects with people that are HIV negative.
Speaking on early detection, Okafor said the earlier Nigerians subjected themselves to HIV testing, the earlier needed treatment is initiated.”
Similarly, Nigeria has the highest number of paediatric HIV globally, with mother-tochild transmission of HIV contributing about 90 per cent to new HIV infections in children.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that Nigeria is the country with the second largest HIV epidemic worldwide, after South Africa. Available data shows that 3.2 million Nigerians are living with HIV virus.
During the World AIDS Day programme, which included a rally around Ilasa and Ireakari Estates, in Lagos, participants distributed IEC (information education and communication) materials to sensitise the community about HIV and condoms to educate people about safe sex that would prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancies.
A participant, Mrs Eunice Oluwakemi Sogbetun, a widow said the programme was important because it was a celebration of those that have died of AIDS and those that have survived HIV. “Up till now, some people do not believe that HIV is real and this is just to create necessary awareness to let them know that HIV is real.”
