Development
Communications Network, a media support organization with resources to help
journalists in reporting science, public health and social sector issues, has
urged stakeholders, communities to arise
to stop spread of HIV/AIDS in society.
In a press statement, Devcoms while lending
their voice on this year’s World AIDS Day which was marked December 1; also
stated that government in particular should support and acknowledge the efforts
of community led organisations for the decline of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
According to the organisation’s Program
Director, Akin Jimoh, the media plays a vital role in the spread of HIV/AIDS
awareness, community drama, documentary and all other forms of edutainment can
serve as a channel for community change. So many people living with HIV/AIDS do
not know their status and are not informed of the right measures that should be
taken.
December 1,
was another opportunity
to remind the people about HIV/AIDS cases and people’s role in eliminating the
virus. In Nigeria today, the national HIV
prevalence is 1.4% among adults aged 15–49 years. Previous estimates had
indicated a national HIV prevalence of 2.8%. UNAIDS and the National Agency for
the Control of AIDS estimate that there are 1.9 million people living with HIV
in Nigeria. The country, which practices a democratic
system of government shows that democracy is the government of the people by
the people and for the people so also in relation to this year’s theme- ‘Communities make the difference’. The
impact of the people in the community should be felt in the concerns of
HIV/AIDS related cases.
Devcoms maintained that it is the right of
the community members to be informed and aware of their HIV status most
importantly the youth in the community. Everyone is important in making
decisions; the commercial sex workers should be given the ideal sexual
education and the importance of modern contraceptives- condom with clients. An
average youth should know the importance of family planning and the use of
condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections. These key stakeholders
should not be left behind in discussions of HIV/AIDS. They should be involved
in the decision making other than imposing policies that are unrealistic on
them.
The right of each citizen to have sex and
health education is important. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV during
conception, delivery or through breastfeeding can only be prevented or reduced
if people are informed. This is the main channel children get infected with
HIV.
According to the result of a survey carried
out by the UNAIDS, significant efforts have been made in recent years to stop
new HIV infections among children as the HIV prevalence new data among children
0-14 is 0.2%. If these efforts are progressing, we are sure to produce free HIV
victims in the next generations.
Identifying some community leaders who are
HIV positive as advocates to help spread the need for people to get tested,
know their status and get treated if infected. This will also help to reduce
the stigma and discrimination attached to being HIV positive. Many times, it is
not the virus that kills people but the stigma. We have seen cases of people
who are living healthy for over 10 to 15 years as HIV positive. These HIV
advocates can be trained as caregivers in such a way that infected people can
relate to.
Also, the HIV/AIDS hotline should be
rejuvenated by community-led organisations. The first of its kind in Nigeria
was a 24-hour telephone initiative by the Youth Empowerment Foundation in 2001
mainly to reach out to the youth to inform them of messages that centers on
HIV/AIDS. This will serve as a mobile community friendly center for the whole
community.
There
is need for community engagement in the issue of HIV/AIDS to make the difference that ought to be achieved.
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