The National Agency for the Control of AIDS has warned that Nigeria’s battle against HIV was being undermined by persistent stigma, in spite of millions needing sustained treatment and support.

NACA’s director-general, Temitope Ilori, made the assertion in Lagos on Tuesday at a Zero Stigma-Sensitisation Against Discrimination of People Living with HIV in Ikeja LGA of Lagos.

The campaign reflects a coordinated effort by government and partners to create safer, more inclusive environments for people living with HIV and to support Nigeria’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat.

Ms Ilori said, “Stigma remains a significant barrier in our national and state efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS, which is critical to achieving epidemic control.”

“Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial and population hub, remains a critical priority in HIV response.” 

Available data, she noted, indicated that Lagos had “over 1.3 per cent, which translates into significant numbers of persons requiring sustained prevention, treatment and support services”.

Ms Ilori said that Ikeja, as an administrative and economic hub, attracts a high, mobile, and diverse population, making sustained awareness-raising on stigma and discrimination extremely important.

Stigma, she said, continued to deter people from seeking care and support due to fear of rejection, loss of employment and social exclusion.

Ms Ilori stressed that early testing and consistent treatment can suppress the virus and halt transmission. She noted that the campaign would be repeated in some other local government areas this year, including Ikeja and Alimosho.

According to her, the aim is to promote accurate knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention, and encourage acceptance and inclusion of people living with HIV.

She added that it also seeks to strengthen community support systems and improve uptake of HIV testing, treatment and other services.

Calling for a broad coalition, the NACA boss urged communities, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, the media, families and caregivers to provide adequate support to fight stigma and discrimination.

The CEO of Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, Folakemi Animashaun, said that Lagos was revising a 2007 law protecting people living with HIV to close gaps in protection.

(NAN)