By Abujah Racheal
In Nigeria, many individuals have continued to live with HIV/AIDS, battling not only the physical effects of the virus but also the deep-seated stigma that often accompanies it.
For them, living with HIV/AIDS is a daily struggle – one marked by the need for constant medical care, fear of societal rejection and the challenge of maintaining mental and emotional resilience.
Individuals such as Mrs Hannah Asu and Mr Michael Olayinwale illustrate the many layers of the struggle faced by people living with the virus in the country.
Asu, a 34-year-old woman from Jiwa community, a suburb of Abuja, was diagnosed with HIV seven years ago.
In spite of fear of rejection from her family, she chose to seek treatment after her health began to deteriorate.
“At first, I was scared. I didn’t know who to talk to or where to turn. I feared I would be abandoned, but my health forced me to be honest with myself,” she recalls.
Today, ASU is part of a local support group, offering solace to other women living with HIV/AIDS in the community.
Her decision to join a support group for women living with HIV exemplifies the strength found within such a community.
“I want to show others that it is possible to live with HIV and still have a meaningful life,” she says.
According to her, by sharing her experiences, she has become a beacon of hope for others who fear the isolation she once felt.
“I feared I would be shunned, both outside and within my family. I hid my status for a long time, although it was affecting my health,” she recounts.
Olayinwale, a 45-year-old mechanic, lives in Shere, a relatively small community with a distance of about 13km from Bwari Town in the FCT.
“Sometimes, I travel over 50km to get my medication. Even, there are days when the clinic ran out of stock, and I was left without treatment,” he narrates.
He says he has become a vocal supporter of HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in his local community, pushing for better access to healthcare services.
“We need more education about HIV. People need to know it is a health issue, not a moral one.
“My grassroots advocacy efforts reflect the resilience and determination of many Nigerians living with the virus, who are not only enduring but fighting for a change,” he said.
According to him, the stigma suffered by people living with HIV/AIDS extends into healthcare settings, where they face discrimination from healthcare workers.
“I was made to feel unwelcome at a clinic. The nurse acted as if I was a burden. I could feel it. It was hurtful,” he says.
Analysts are worried that while Nigeria has made significant strides in addressing HIV/AIDS, stigma remains an obstacle, preventing many individuals from seeking treatment and being open.
Dr Olufemi Adebayo, a HIV/AIDS management specialist, acknowledges that stigma remains one of the greatest challenges in the fight against HIV in the country.
“Stigma is not just a social issue; it is a public health issue.
“When people are afraid to seek care because of discrimination, it exacerbates the spread of the virus and undermines treatment efforts,” Adebayo argues.
It is not in doubt that the Federal Government has made giant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly through initiatives aimed at increasing access to treatment and reducing transmission rates.
The National HIV/AIDS Strategic Framework, for instance, aims to provide universal access to HIV treatment and care by 2030.
Efforts such as the National HIV Testing Services Campaign seek to increase awareness and provide testing opportunities across the country.
Dr Chukwuma Anyaike Director of Public Health Federal Ministry of Health, however, remarks: “While we have made great progress in treatment, reducing stigma remains a priority if we are to see real progress.”
Dr Gabriel Adakole, a public health expert, advocates a more integrated approach to HIV care that goes beyond medical treatment.
“We need to address the social factors – stigma and mental health issues.
“Collaboration between government, the civil society and the private sector is key to reducing stigma and ensuring that treatment is accessible to all,” Adakole adds.
According to him, faith-based organisations and civil society groups can play a critical role in tackling stigma and providing essential support to people living with HIV.
He notes that in some parts of Nigeria, religious leaders are beginning to speak out about HIV, advocating compassion and understanding rather than judgment.
He urges other religious leaders, community leaders and other Nigerians to toe the path.
It is noteworthy that some civil society organisations such as the Network of People Living with HIV in Nigeria, provide vital resources and create safe spaces for people living with HIV to share their experiences.
These groups also advocate policy change, ensuring that the voices of those most affected by HIV are heard.
Mrs Oyeyemi Pitan, Executive Director of Gem Hub Initiative, believes that combating the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS will require ramping up education campaigns that highlight the facts about HIV transmission and emphasise empathy and care.
Pitan, also a Co-convener of Joint Learning Agenda for UHC in Nigeria, suggests that such campaigns should be taken to schools, workplaces and other communities to reshape perceptions about HIV/AIDS.
“Stronger policies protecting the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS are also necessary.
“These policies should ensure that individuals are not discriminated against at workplaces or healthcare settings.
“Advocacy for such policies should be continuous because the road ahead is long,” she says.
Analysts urge that those living with HIV/AIDS should be supported by all to live with dignity, hope and strength through concerted efforts at reducing stigma and ensuring access to healthcare services. (NANFeatures)
