Nigeria focuses on reducing HIV/AIDS stigma

Reducing HIV/AIDS discrimination is the focus of a conference in Abuja, Nigeria, from 9-10 August 2007.

The event is organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Network of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and the National Agency for Control of AIDS, both based in Nigeria.

Discussions will be aimed at identifying and empowering people to be ‘Champions for Change’ in the fight to end HIV/AIDS-related discrimination, as well as initiating an outline for a national action plan for Nigeria.

Pat Matemilola, national co-ordinator of the Network of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, has been HIV positive for 14 years.

“Stigma and discrimination remain rife in Nigeria, despite all our efforts,” said Mr Matemilola. “If we are able to come up with an action plan at the conference, we will be in a much better position in the next few years.”

The conference will consider presentations that focus on policy and practices; the legal context; ethics and human rights; socio-cultural practices that lead to discrimination; and leadership in reducing stigma and discrimination.

Official recognition of HIV in Nigeria came about when the first case was announced in 1986. There was widespread fear, stigma, discrimination and rejection, which led those living with HIV/AIDS to hide their status.

“Widespread stigma allows the HIV epidemic to take root and grow rapidly, with devastating consequences to the quality of life for many Nigerians,” said Joseph Amuzu, Health Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The number of individuals in the reproductive age group who are living with HIV/AIDS grew from 1.8 per cent in 1999, when the first survey was conducted, to 5.8 per cent in 2001. Since that point, there has been a decrease in the prevalence rate to 4.4 per cent in 2005.

Despite the declining prevalence rate, Dr Amuzu believes that “stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS remains high and is the bane of all HIV/AIDS interventions. Reducing stigma and discrimination is vital and will lead to positive results.”

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