Nasarawa health stakeholders seek enforcement of anti-HIV stigma law

Stakeholders in Nasarawa State’s health sector have called on the state and local governments to curtail the spread of HIV and AIDS by enforcing anti-stigma law. The stakeholders made the call at the opening of a five-day workshop on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) on Monday in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. […]

Stakeholders in Nasarawa State’s health sector have called on the state and local governments to curtail the spread of HIV and AIDS by enforcing anti-stigma law.

The stakeholders made the call at the opening of a five-day workshop on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) on Monday in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Dr Ishaku Bako, a workshop facilitator, said the enforcement of the law would go a long way in ending the spread and new HIV infections.

Bako explained that if stigmatisation against victims was eliminated, it would encourage those with the condition to avail themselves for testing and treatment.

“One of the ways to stop the spread of HIV is for everybody who is yet to ascertain his/her status to avail himself/herself for testing and those found positive be placed on treatment.

“Efforts must be made to ensure that all pregnant women attend antenatal and deliver in the hospitals in order to prevent HIV infection through prevention of mother-to-child transmission,” he added.

On his part, Alhassan Ibrahim, Director, Public Health, Ministry of Health, said the objective of the workshop was to review government’s performance in 2019 with the view to improving in the 2020 operational plan.

He said the HIV scourge was reducing due to the support from the various partners and efforts by the staff members of the health ministry.

The director, therefore, expressed the determination of the medical team in the fight against HIV in the state to do their best to achieve the global target of eliminating the scourge by 2030.

Contributing, Mr Philip Lukoko, Nasarawa State Coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV, commanded the government and other development partners for assisting them to live normal lives in spite of their status.

He noted that stigmatisation by medical personnel and the public was a serious impediment, saying many sufferers were shying away from testing and receiving treatment.

He, therefore, urged the public to help in curtailing the spread of HIV by desisting from discrimination against the sufferers. (NAN)