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OGOCHUKWU IBEKWE [ Profil ] |
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NIGERIA HAVE WHAT IT TAKE TO COMPACT HIV/AIDS
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Oct 30th, 2006 - 05:36:30 |
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NIGERIA HAVE WHAT IT TAKE TO COMPACT HIV/AIDS
HOW do we fight the stigma and discrimination that has become synonymous with HIV/AIDS? How do we show people who are not infected with the virus or affected by it that those who have been dealt this "bad hand" deserve our compassion? These persons have not committed any sin and even if they did, does God not forgive sinners?
Those are but three of the many questions that have been floating around in my mind that we need to address, and it has become clear to me that while we need legislation to speak to stigma and discrimination, and that legislation must be the bedrock of the fight against HIV in general, our people must also be educated which we need to champion through Young people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, For they are the vital organ that has been forgotten both in decision making, planning and implementation of HIV and AIDS activities.
But, you may say we have been educated already, we are bombarded with messages everyday as we drive to work, read the newspaper, listen to the radio and even as we watch television. So what more can be done? While I admit that this is true, I think that the relevant authorities need to go a step further in the education campaign to show people that anyone, black or white; young or old; educated or uneducated can be infected by this virus, and that it is really not something that we should be afraid of contracting when dealing with people on an everyday basis.
Undoubtedly, information is readily available to all of us, but until it reaches the hearts and minds of people so as to bring about a change in behaviors, the stigma and discrimination will continue to fester.
I am of the firm belief that one way of combating this is the decentralization of the treatment programme offered by Government to all General hospitals in the country, whereby persons who is HIV positive or who have full blown AIDS can go to any General hospital and health center near by to obtain treatment. I think that would be ideal because no one would be able to look at a person and tell if he or she has HIV/AIDS.
This will start to break down the stigma and discrimination barriers that exist, but will also provide a gateway for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to feel comfortable when accessing treatment.
I must therefore commend GHAIN Anambra State, UNFPA Anambra State and ANSACA for taking the voluntary counseling and testing to all corners of Anambra State and making it accessible to the people this was indeed a bold step and has resulted in many more people, coming forward to be tested though they never involve young people living with HIV in all this setting as stated in NSF and GIPA principles, and other young people both in there planning and implementation that is why young people are not accessing them. yet we have Association of positive youth in Nigeria (APYIN) which is a Network of young people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria and Youth Network in Nigeria (NYNETHA) which have never get any support from Government yet every day 1,200 young people in Nigeria got infected, Which shows that one person per minute. World Population Report 2005 indicates
That almost a quarter of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS are young
People, yet they represent half of all new HIV infection cases. There is a need to have a youth friendly centers in the country which young people will claim the ownership.
Youth even though are important segment of our society lack the necessary information, skills and services that are needed to prevent themselves from contracting HIV.
Nigeria can combat HIV epidemic when their Government, Donor agencies and stakeholders begin to regard young people living with HIV and AIDS which has an umbrella net work known as Association of positive youth in Nigeria (APYIN) as partners in their effort to achieve sustainable development and mitigate the impact of HIV in the country.
There is a need to promote participation of young people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria in addressing Political, socio-economic and cultural issues to reduce stigma and discrimination among them.
Nevertheless, there is a need for a legislative framework that speaks to how we deal with those who discriminate against PLWHA, not only in the workplace, but with respect to housing, education and other social services.
Despite some opposition, I think that a sound legal and policy framework where PLWHA at the end of the day can have some sort of recourse is imperative; this coupled with education is the key. Hearing and knowing is one thing, but feeling it is something else. Often we do not understand what someone is going through until the shoe is on our foot and that need not be.
Perhaps, if we were to all just open our minds and our hearts, not just letting the information being disseminated go through one ear and come through the other, but listen, ponder and embrace it, then compassion would come much easier.
Let us joins our hand and support young people living with HIV and AIDS in our country, for they have been relegated to the background yet some of them are the one spreading the virus. Until we learn how to empower them to live a positive life, HIV will continue to move from one young person to another young person.
Let us save our future generation. I am suggesting that it was essential that government, donor agencies, top political leadership and ministerial officials should become more directly engaged with young people living with HIV and AIDS in trying to control HIV/AIDS, in resolving difficult and enduring policy issues and in directing a truly multi-sector approach.
Only high-level national leadership can effectively confront the deep stigma that surrounds young people and HIV/AIDS.
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IBEKWE OGOCHUKWU ALEXANDER,
CORDINATOR ASSOCIATION OF
POSITIVE YOUTHS IN NIGERIA
ANAMBRA STATE.
PROJECT DIRECTOR
HEALTH LINK ORGANISATION
EKWULOBIA
alexodegreat.tigblog.org
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