The Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria says it is re-strategising to reduce stigmatisation against people living with the virus.

The national coordinator of the association, Esther Hindi, stated this while interacting with journalists after a stakeholders’ meeting in Birnin Kebbi.

Ms Hindi explained that the meeting was organised to provide the needed platform for stakeholders and people living with the virus to find workable pathways toward curbing stigma and the scourge of the disease.

She added that the meeting was also organised for stakeholders to develop a comprehensive blueprint for behavioural changes against stigma.

“Some of the people living with the virus are shy and don’t want to interact with people and sometimes refuse to report their stigmatisation to relevant authorities for advice and counselling.

“We have about 60 participants in this meeting, and a lot has been discussed. We will compile our findings and submit them to the national office for recommendation and action,” she said.

The coordinator expressed optimism that the outcome would yield positive results that could be beneficial to people living with HIV/AIDS.

She identified some challenges affecting the association, including a manpower shortage and inadequate drugs and test kits.

Describing drugs and test kits as essential commodities to the overall well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS, the coordinator called on the federal and state governments to come to their aid.

“We are calling on the federal and state governments, including donor agencies, to come to the aid of ASHWAN to enable the association to effectively address its challenges,” she said.

Reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump’s suspended foreign development assistance, which included HIV funding, Ms Hindi said the action had put millions of lives at risk.

Describing the development as “worrisome,” the coordinator called on the Nigerian government to begin to look inward to sustain funding for HIV/AIDS interventions.

(NAN)