Rights Commission worried over discrimination against PLWHA

This was expressed by the zonal coordinator of the commission, Hajiya Hauwa Salihu Jauro, during the opening of a two-day seminar organised by the commission in collaboration with the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria on the human rights link with HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination held in Kano last week. Hajiya Hauwa said it was […]

This was expressed by the zonal coordinator of the commission, Hajiya Hauwa Salihu Jauro, during the opening of a two-day seminar organised by the commission in collaboration with the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria on the human rights link with HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination held in Kano last week.

Hajiya Hauwa said it was sad that despite the rate of stigmatisation experienced by people living with the disease not much was done in the area of creating policies with a synergy between human rights and health in the country.

She further said there was the need for the enactment of a legislation pertaining to HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination saying, it was high time the anti discrimination and NACA bills is passed into law in order to address the problem of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

Hauwa further said the commission would develop more effective strategies and human rights campaign to combat stigma, discrimination and social exclusion connected with HIV/AIDS.

Also speaking during the seminar, the Kano State Commissioner for Health Malama Aishatu Kiru said the state was committed to continue supporting various stakeholders especially support groups of people living with the virus.

Kiru who spoke through the director, disease control of the ministry Dr Ashiru Rajab said the state was blessed with several organisations working in the area of HIV/AIDS.