Marking World AIDS Day

Posted on: Mon 30-11-2015

Tomorrow, December 1, the international community will be marking World AIDS Day. It is a day to draw attention to HIV/AIDS epidemic around the world and an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against the disease, including supporting sufferers. Moreover, the commemoration is important because it reminds the public and governments that HIV is still a public health threat and therefore there is need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

We join the international community in marking World AIDS Day and lend our voice in creating awareness on the dangers posed by the epidemic with a view to combating the scourge. While the world has come a long way in containing the AIDS pandemic since it became known in 1984, a lot is still to be done to bring it under manageable control.

What is AIDS?

It stands for Acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which is caused by a virus called HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). The illness alters the immune system, making people much more vulnerable to infections and diseases. HIV is only transmitted between people through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the blood stream with a bodily fluid. Incidentally, there has been a lot of stigma around the spread of HIV and people living with it.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are about 34million

AIDS sufferers around the world. In Nigeria, estimates put the number of those living with HIV/AIDS at 3.4million,even as 60,000 children were infected in 2014 alone. Presently, Nigeria bears the second highest burden of HIV/AIDS, next to South Africa in Africa and third in the whole world after South Africa and India.

Yet, despite extensive research into the transmission, prevention and treatment, myths and stereotypes continue to fuel discrimination and prejudice against people with HIV – which has been having devastating effects on the individuals and the response to the virus itself. Sadly, unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV. That means once you have HIV, it is for life, as no safe and effective cure currently exists, even as scientists are working hard to find one. Surprising, the origin of HIV has remained a hotly contested issue.

This notwithstanding, the impact of HIV-related stigma is shattering on an individual. Research found a long list of potential consequences, ranging from loss of income and livelihood through to employment discrimination and feelings of worthlessness. Definitely, there is need to further curb the incidence of AIDS in Nigeria. A way to do this is for Nigerians to make themselves available at the various screening centres across the country for AIDS tests.

Knowing one’s status is the surest way of combating the epidemic. Unfortunately, governmental discrimination against those with AIDS continues to hinder progress in the fight against the disease. That is why the Anti-Stigma Law signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan for prevention of discrimination against those living with HIV and making access to healthcare a human rights issue, is a step in the right direction. In spite of this, the government should make substantial investment in HIV prevention, especially in personnel, logistics and drugs. This way, the disease can be adequately contained.

Source: Daily Times

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