By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
A law to end discrimination, stigmatization and other matters connected thereto will soon be in place in Akwa Ibom if it is signed by the state governor after being passed by the state assembly.
The signing of the bill into law when passed by the governor, Pastor Umo Eno would give hope to people living with the virus in the state, who before have either stigmatised or discriminated against in public places and institutions.
Presently, a public hearing on the bill has been held at the State House of Assembly in Uyo, the state capital on Wednesday.
It was organized by House of Assembly Committee on Health in partnership with Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), Ministry of Health, Heartland Alliance, UNAIDS, AHF Nigeria, MAP-IT Nigeria.
The Bill seeks to provide a legal document for the protection of those living with HIV/AIDs and also provide legal framework for HIV/AIDs counselling, testing as well as providing punishment for those who violate it.
Declaring the event opened, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme J. Otong said the gathering was to build confidence that by it, they will cross a critical bend on the road to taking Akwa Ibom to the Land of Fulfillment which is their collective dream.
The Speaker represented by the member representing Nsit Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Eric Akpan expressed appreciation to the critical stakeholders and resource persons who showed up for the crucial assignment.
He said that the public hearing was in keeping with the norms of democracy, that avail Akwa Ibomites and critical stakeholders the opportunity to partake in the engagement.
According to the Assembly helmsman, the Bill is aimed primarily at giving this category of persons a sense of belonging, self-worth and protection against any form of abuse as the aspirations of this Bill will again illustrate the deep-rooted leadership sense of the 8th Akwa Ibom Legislative Assembly, and its preoccupation to deliver compassion to the vulnerable and bring as many of them as possible within the social safety-net.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman House Committee on Health and member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, Hon. Moses Essien in his welcome address expressed delight that this bill is his first bill on the floor of the 8th Assembly, explaining that the Bill was first presented in the 7th Assembly but was not assented to by the then Governor.
Urging all participants to make their recommendations to aid in making the bill a people-centred law as Public hearing is a crucial avenue to distill public opinion, inputs from stakeholders and experts whose participation was crucial in the law making process
Essien expressed optimism that, the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno would graciously give assent to this bill when passed into law by this time around.
According to his address, HIV/AIDs, from its first reported case remains a major global health issue, as estimated by World Health Organization (WHO) to have claimed 42.3 million lives with an ongoing transmission globally and currently remains incurable.
In his words, “Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) have shown that Akwa Ibom State has the highest prevalence rate of HIV/AIDs in Nigeria with 5.5% of people living With HIV/AIDs.
“However, with tactical effort of the government, NGOs and all concerned institutions, great progress has been made in tackling the infection through sensitization, counselling, diagnosis, treatment and care thus enabling people living with HIV/AIDs to live long, healthy and productive lives.” Hon Essien noted.
The Lawmaker also highlighted that People Living with HIV/AIDs often face stigma and discrimination in various ways including social exclusion, family, school, village, place of employment, health care services, church, market among others.
The stigmatization and discrimination according to him can often lead to depression and suicide even when what they are subjected to is in contravention of their fundamental human rights.
In addition, the Committee Chairman upheld that although HIV/AIDs can be acquired through various means including unprotected sex, sharing of needles, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breast feeding if the mother is positive, occupational exposure, sharing of injection equipment, among others.
He noted that symptoms commonly associated with HIV/AIDS are; severe weight loss, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, fever, etc. but worthy to note that HIV/AIDs cannot be transmitted through physical contact like hugging or handshake neither can it be transmitted through insect bites, sharing of food, drinks, water or toilet, just as the available treatment at the moment is Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) among others.
In their Keynote address, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh said the Anti Stigma Bill is more inclusive and compassionate to the society aimed at reducing HIV related stigma and discrimination to promote the awareness and education and ensuring them access to health care services.
Prof Umoh called for the need to be deterant by proscribing consequences for not keeping to the dictates of the law, otherwise the whole effort may be advisory rather than the law because propagating HIV in our society, patients will shrink back into their little space of comfort rather than stepping out for treatment.
Also speaking, the Program Manager of
AKSACA), Dr. Edidiong Akpan appreciated the leadership of the 8th Assembly for sustaining the push to end the prevalent disease.
He averred that AKS AIDS indicator survey shows that about 30% of those living with HIV/AIDS reported experience stigma or discrimination in health care settings while about 25% reported being excluded from gathering or community events on account of their status, adding that HIV responsive in the state is still encumbered with stigma which may constitutes a major threat to outstanding opportunity to end the spread by 2030.
However, the Committee received series of contributions and memorandum from group and organisations including Nigerian Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, partnering agencies as well as representative of people with disability.
The Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), AKS Council Comrade Sunny James, The Chairman, Centre for Human Rights Advocacy Network (CHRAN) Comrade Franklyn Isong, Dr. Emem Akpanobong of Private Medical practitioner Association in their different presentations threw their weight behind the Bill to fly.
