The Executive Secretary, Civil Society for HIV/AID in Nigeria (CiSHAN), Walter Ugwuocha, has said Nigeria’s initial posture and perception of associating HIV with death has fostered continuous negative impact among youths.
Ugwuocha made the statement at a virtual meeting hosted by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Stigma Clinic in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) which focused on the topic ‘Taming Stigma and Moderating the Impact of Discrimination among Adolescents and Youths with HIV and AIDS’.
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Enumerating the factors militating against the elimination of stigmatisation, Ugwuocha said “Cultural practices across states have hindered communities to forge ahead in the management of HIV related issues such as mental health, stigma and discrimination.
He added that “Some hospitals and health facilities are still not structured to eliminate stigma among patients as most Anti-Retroviral Therapy clinics are separated from other clinics, hence encouraging segregation”.
He, however, noted that increased awareness on the anti-discrimination Act, a Law passed in 2014 by the National Assembly to address issues of stigma and discrimination among persons living with HIV and AIDS is fundamental as people need to know that their rights are protected under the law.
Steve Aborishade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager, said the AHF stigma clinic, was an avenue for dialogue by patient’s community with key HIV stakeholders, government and community structures to examine the impact of stigma on individuals and communities.
He noted that the stigma clinic was also to provide a platform where workable solutions are proffered in line with the anti-stigma law.
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