HIV/AIDS: Association decries members stigmatization in Edo
The Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Edo chapter, has decried the rate of stigmatization faced by persons living with the virus in the state. Mr Christopher Osayande, Chairman of NEPWHAN, Edo chapter, said this during an interview with Newsmen on Tuesday in Benin.
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Osayande said stigmatization remained a significant challenge for Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in society, and Edo was no exception.
“Stigmatisation is still high and as a result, persons living with the virus are being denied meaningful employment. For those in business, once people know they have the virus they stop patronizing their businesses,” he said.
He noted that PLWHA was also not receiving adequate support from the state government.
“We still get the Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs and other care-related commodities in the state, but we don’t receive other forms of support. This is a vulnerable group and the majority are poor, therefore, the government should make provisions for skills acquisition for PLWHA to enable them to fend for themselves,” he said.
He added that the usual location for care and ARV drug collection was no longer in use, adding that the new place allocated for care was not in good shape.
“The place is not suitable because when it rains or the sun shines, clients suffer. Imagine going to a facility for treatment and ending up contracting another illness,” Osayande said.
According to him, there are still new cases of HIV in the state and the number of people needing care is increasing due to lack of food and transportation.
“As an association, we are trying to see that the viral load reduces, but because most PLWHA do not have means of livelihood, the viral load remains high,” Osayande said.
NAN/Wumi
