Stakeholders on fight against the spread of the Human Immune Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ( HIV/AIDS) have urged the Nigerian government to review the country’s HIV policy , build anti retroviral pharmaceutical industry, and empower people living with HIV inorder to help them live healthy lives.
They made the call on Tuesday, during a One-Day maiden edition of “Red Ribbon story” organised by the office of the Wife of Enugu state Governor in conjunction with her pet project , CUSTOS Care Foundation ( a Non- Governmental Organization) at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu
They said ” Enugu state stigmatisation law needs to be reviewed, adding JB JBthings have changed, some parts need to be expurged.”.
They observed that there is no Executive secretary at the Enugu state Agency for the Control of AIDS( ENSACA) for years
The stakeholders also urged the government to set up health insurance scheme for people living with HIV/ AIDS to enable them access medical treatments, feed well and carter for their needs.They appealed to the members of the public to stop stigmatisation of the people living with HIV, noting that HIV is a health challenge that anyone can contract.
State Coordinator of Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria ( NEPLWH) Mrs Lilian Agbo sharing her experience HIV is a health challenge that one can contract through unsterilised objects, sexually( if unprotected) mother to child transmission, unscreened blood transfusion among others.
Sharing her experience, she called for abolition of some harmful cultural practises like wife inheritance, genital circumcisions, disclosing that she contracted HIV after she lost her first husband and his brother- in-law inherited her as his wife as their culture demanded. She added that her three children with her first husband were negative and she knew of her HIV status after her second husband and the two children she had for him died.
According to her, that sad experience pushed her to request for screening to know her status and she tested positive, while her children from her first marriage tested negative .
She advised against stigmatisation and called for support for the people living with HIV . She also encourage people living with HIV to look for something doing , saying, “don’t make yourself stigmatized”.
The state coordinator thanked the wife of Enugu state Governor ,Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah for her support for people living with HIV.
Executive Secretary, Enugu state Primary Health Care Development Agency ( ENPHDCA), Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani- Ocheku in her speech, commended the people who shared their experiences. She said having HIV is not a dead sentence.” HIV can affect everybody regardless of who you are”.
Pix: Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah
She said HIV is back and people should go for screening to know their status, noting that HIV testing in Enugu is free. “Enugu state Government and it’s partner, Caritas , have said nobody will collect money for HIV test,” she said.
Dr Ani- Ocheku observed that funding for the control of spread of HIV was dwindling as a result of US President’s (Donald Trump’s )policy .
Encouraging people living with HIV to live fulfilled lives , she said HIV is a chronic condition
In her speech, the wife of the Enugu state Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah , said Red Ribbon story is her initiative, still in progress.
“So it’s a platform where we have our special guests tell their stories while we sit back and listen without judgement.
She said Enugu state government has done a lot to curb the spread of the disease. She advised people living with HIV to take their medication consistently, dismantle marginalization,
To the people living with HIV, Mrs Mbah said, “We are dedicated. We must create a society that uplift people. Keep strong, keep showing up, live responsibly. Your living is still important. HIV is a medical condition , not a moral judgement. Know your status,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Health Prof George Ugwu , said the Red Ribbon is a promise of compassion, to be free from stigma.
Represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr. Okenwa, the Commissioner thanked Mrs Mbah for hosting the event. He advised members of the public to ensure that people living with HiV/ AIDS will do so without fear.
“In the spirit of Red Ribbon, let us continue to love and live with the people living with HIV/AIDS “, he said.
Earlier in an opening remark, the Senior Special Adviser to the Wife of the Governor on
Special Duties,Mrs Chidinma Egeonu,Red Ribbon about story of challenges from people with peculiar needs or illness.
“This is a forum for Her Excellency to showcase her caring nature, that there is no form of discrimination in her agenda. It is a forum of championing inclusion in all works of life, not only on women’s Rights but also for youths here to learn from people’s experience and guide themselves to the right paths”, Egeonu said.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama