By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) is essential in order to achieve year 2030 eradication target.
Dr. Oladipupo Fisher, Head, Project, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), stated the view at a one-day media sensitization training on Lagos State HIV Anti-Stigma Law which took place in Ikeja, the state’s capital on Wednesday.
In his presentation titled, “Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS,” Fisher highlighted that high influx of people into Lagos every day, stigma and discrimination as well as huge population of the state are the reasons why there is high privalence of HIV infection in Lagos State.
He pointed out that there is high prevalence of HIV among females in the reproductive age group, stressing that more intervention is required to protect them.
He said that attention is also focused on 0-4 year age group.
Among the female reproductive age group, those in the range of 15 to 24 years record higher HIV infection, according to the LSACA chief.
Fisher disclosed that non-governmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based groups, community-based organizations are involved in the participation to disseminate information on HIV.
He said that the dissemination of the information is targeting different population groups.
According to him, traditional birth attendants (TBAs) are made to undergo induction courses on HIV. He added that the government is making efforts to regulate the sector.
Fisher stated that people living with disabilities are also vulnerable in the spread of HIV.
According to the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency leader, information on HIV/AIDS prevention is provided for the visually impaired in Brail prints.
“Don’t engage in multiple sex, use condom to prevent HIV,” Fisher advised, adding: “Know your HIV status.”
He emphasized that 80 per cent of transmission of the infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
The LSACA project head stressed that 80 per cent adherence is required of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) for antiretroviral therapy (ART) to work, otherwise the person will go into clinical failure, and will become drug resistant.
He therefore advised people living with HIV to use their medicines as prescribed by the doctor.
On the occasion, Barrister Josephine Ijekhuemeh, Executive Director, Centre for Rights and Development, presented an overview of Lagos State Law for the Protection of People Living with HIV.
She narrated how people living with HIV have been discriminated against by educational institutions, insurance companies, landlords, workplaces, religious organizations, among others.
Ijekhuemeh highlighted Novel provisions of the “Law for the Protection of Persons Living with HIV and Affected by AIDS in Lagos State and for Other Connected Matters.”
She also pointed out the challenges of enforcement that the law faces.
She expressed view on the existence of law and when the people who should enforce the law are not willing to do so. “I don’t think the law has been enforced,” she argued.
Ijekhuemeh, a partner at Odikpo, Okpe & Associates, said: “Discrimination and stigmatization are usually overt, not covert. I think that is why the law is having difficulty being enforced.”
The barrister said that it is necessary to sensitize Lagos residents on the letters of the law.
Former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assented to the “Law for the Protection of Persons Living with HIV and Affected by AIDS in Lagos State and for Other Connected Matters” on 18th day of May 2007.
