People living with HIV in Ebonyi State have demanded inclusion in the state and federal governments’ ongoing empowerment projects. Over the weekend, the group issued an appeal through its state coordinator, Chukwuma Nwafor.
This appeal follows the disclosure by Iteshi Chibueze, Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Agency for Control of AIDS (EBOSACA), that the number of known HIV cases in the state has increased to 15,086, with 5,023 males and 10,063 females as of the end of the second quarter of 2024.
The Challenge HIV Patients Face
Nwafor, expressing worry over the high level of stigmatisation suffered by his members, stated that the employment and empowerment of HIV patients without prejudice will increase their response to treatments.
The coordinator, who has been living with HIV for 24 years, encouraged other carriers to undergo regular testing for early detection and treatment, emphasizing that being HIV positive is not a death sentence. He disclosed that treatments have been helpful, but stigma remains a significant challenge. The coordinator thanked the government for drug interventions and advised people to know their status, as early discovery is crucial in managing HIV.
The coordinator also appealed to the Ebonyi State Governor and the President of Nigeria to include people living with HIV and AIDS in empowerment programs, citing the need for assistance and advocating for the domestication of the HIV and AIDS anti-stigmatisation law.
A 43-year-old mother of two living with HIV for 21 years also voiced out, encouraging women to modify their lifestyles, know their status, and protect their families. She shared her personal experience of facing stigma but finding courage in knowing that medication can manage the virus.
Iteshi emphasized the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles, reducing infection rates, and undergoing regular testing to suppress the viral load. He expressed satisfaction that known cases have suppressed viral loads, preventing the development of full-blown AIDS, and reported 15,086 known cases in the state, with 5,023 males and 10,063 females.
Key Takeaways:
Regular Testing: Essential for early detection and treatment of HIV.
Stigma Reduction: Needed to encourage people to know their status.
Empowerment Programs: Inclusion of people living with HIV and AIDS is crucial.
Healthy Lifestyles: Important for reducing infection rates.
Medication Adherence: Critical for suppressing viral loads and preventing AIDS.
By sharing their experiences, the coordinator, Happiness, and Iteshi aim to raise awareness and promote understanding of HIV management
