The Nation Newspaper

Tag: HIV/AIDS

  • HIV/AIDS

    The term AIDS is an acronym that stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. It is acquired because the victims do not inherit the condition, but contract it. Immune deficiency means that the victim’s natural bodily defense mechanisms are unable to function properly, and “syndrome” refers to the combination of different abnormalities or diseases making up this condition.

    AIDS is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably results in death. The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I and II already isolated.

    Although there have been wide speculations and insinuations as to the origin of the virus (HIV), the fact still remains that the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in North America, Europe and Central Africa about the same time in 1981. Since then, cases are being reported all over the world and most countries now have people with “full-blown” AIDS as well as carriers infected with the virus. It occurs in about 1 to 10% of the population and the incubation period is 4 to 10 years.

    The virus has been isolated mostly from semen, vaginal secretion and blood. It is generally believed to be contracted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, use of un-sterile instruments such as needles, blades and catheters, trans-placental infection, organ transplant, tattooing and circumcision as well as breast-feeding.

    The major characteristic feature of AIDS is weight loss of about 10kg within 1 month without a known cause. Other symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, skin infections, oro-pharyngeal candidiasis, swollen lymph glands and night sweating.

     

    Prevention

    Prevention of AIDS is achieved through avoidance of casual sex, and other factors that may predispose to HIV infection; as well as sterile procedures in clinico-surgical practices.

     

    Treatment and Control

    Before recommending our treatment and control packages for HIV/ AIDS, it is pertinent to ask the following questions:

    1. Why do outbreaks of serious infectious diseases leave some people devastated and others free?
    2. If some people are known to be carriers and could go around with the virus for up to 15 years before they physically breakdown, couldn’t there be ways of helping to cleanse the virus from the system before it manifests?
    3. Are the sufferer’s thoughts, aspirations and living habits not affecting the disease cycle as well as response to treatment?

    If yes, then in Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total care of HIV/AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

    The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and longevity in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion. Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • HIV/AIDS: 18, 000 on anti-retroviral drugs in C’River

    HIV/AIDS: 18, 000 on anti-retroviral drugs in C’River

    The Cross River State Programme Manager of Family Health International 360 (FHI 360), Dr. Henry Ayuk, Tuesday disclosed that over 18, 000 adults and children had been placed on anti-retroviral therapy in the last four years.

    Addressing a rally to mark the World AIDS Day in Calabar Tuesday, Ayuk emphasized the need for increased efforts and actions by stakeholders to stop the spread of the epidemic.

    Also no fewer than 300 persons benefitted from free screening on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) carried out by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) in Calabar to mark the day.

    The gesture which was carried out in collaboration with FHI 360 also saw the distribution of free packs of condoms with counsel on proper usage to avoid contracting the virus.

    The theme of the 2015 World AIDS Day celebration was ‘Getting to zero by 2030.’

    President of the Calabar South branch of NAS, Dr. Callistus Enyuma, said the association decided to key into this year’s celebration so as to increase the campaign against stigmatization on people living with HIV/AIDS.

    “The National Association of Seadogs is joining hands with other organizations and agencies to sensitize the masses against stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS. We want to let Calabar residents know that people living with the virus also have a better chance of leading a normal life,” he said.

    Also, the association’s President for the Calabar Municipality branch, Mr. John Nya, said about four cartons of condoms were made available for members of the public that had come to know their HIV status.

    Nya said the idea was also to properly educate members of the public on the right usage of condom.

    The screening exercise was the high point of the rally, which attracted thousands of participants that embarked on a walk from the Eleven-Eleven roundabout to the Botanical Garden along the Mary Slessor Avenue in Calabar.

    In attendance at the rally were the state deputy governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, and speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. John Lebo, among others.

  • NACA calls for increased funding of HIV/AIDS treatment 

    National Agency for the Control of AIDS Director-General Prof. John Idoko has called for increased funding and support to combat HIV transmission.

    Three million Nigerians are estimated to be living with HIV; with  750,000 on treatment.

    He said in line with new World Health Organisation (WHO)’s guidelines, which recommend test and treatment, about 2.25 million will be placed on treatment.

    To meet this, Idoko said the country would need about $2.9 million for 2016.

    The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September had set 2030 target to eliminate HIV/AIDS globally, while Nigeria has set 2020 target to eliminate Mother- to-Child transmission of the virus.

    Idoko, who briefed the media on the occasion, said: “Nigeria’s AIDS response has gained a steady momentum in the past four years. We have managed to turn the tide. New infections have reduced by 35 per cent and we now need new commitment to ending AIDS by 2030″.

    This new commitment, he explained, demands that Nigeria take over the funding for AIDS treatment, especially now that funding from international partners are dwindling.

    Prof. Idoko did not, however, rule out private sector funding for the scourge as it’s been done in some countries.

    He said: “Actually that is where we will want to go and those of you, who are conversant with PCSR, which was launched about two year ago, we emphasised that mobilisation must happened at every level-from the federal government, to state government, to local government and to the private sector.”

    He also said national health insurance could be another way, to ensure that funding was made available for the treatment of AIDS in the country.

    Speaking on the UN AIDS elimination 2030 target, Idoko said the there was still much to be done.

    He, however, explained that the 2030 date “does not mean that there will be no HIV/AIDS, it means that HIV will no longer be an epidemic.”

    NACA boss further revealed that what the set date meant to achieve was to ensure that treatment of the virus will be like treating malaria.

    Also, National Secretary, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Abdulkadir Ibrahim, said lives, hope of survival and treatment access should not be determined by foreign aid, which is already reducing.

    Adding: “Government needs to own up the interventions, put money on treatment, prevention, care and support to ensure access to HIV/AIDS,” malaria etc.

    He, therefore, appealed to government at all levels to increase funding and budgetary provision for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, which are some of the major factors responsible for the country high maternal and child death.

  • Changing the face of HIV/AIDS: Protecting our girls

    There are 1.8 billion young people (males and females between the ages of 10 and 24) in the world today, the largest generation of young people in human history. The majority of these young people live in developing countries and approximately half, or 900 million, are adolescent girls and young women.

    The U.N. International Day of the Girl Child (October 11) highlights the unique challenges adolescents and young girls (females between the ages of 10 and 19) continue to face in our world.

    At every stage of development, girls are more likely than boys to confront a progression of disadvantages associated with violence and discrimination. Even with decades of laws, treaties, conferences, and resolutions at the local, national, regional, and international levels, the difficulties accompanying being young and female condemn millions of girls to the sidelines of society. There, girls remain mostly invisible, their human rights habitually abused and violated, and their welfare trailing behind that of boys.

    Girls account for more than 80 percent of new HIV infections in adolescents in the worst hit countries with 380,000 adolescent girls infected with HIV every year; in other words, 7,300 every week, more than 1,000 every day. Moreover, HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death for girls and women ages 15 to 49.

    According to UNICEF, the face of HIV/AIDS is young and female. As we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child 2015, we say, “This must change.”

    Tackling violence and discrimination faced by girls, and ensuring their access to the same basic opportunities as boys, is crucial to the realization of their basic human rights and achieving the UN’s “Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”

    As the global community rallied to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 last month at the 2015 United Nations General Assembly, the U.S. government has made several exciting announcements with positive impacts for the girl child.

    On September 26, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice announced bold, new HIV prevention and treatment targets established by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). By the end of 2017, PEPFAR will support 12.9 million people on life-saving anti-retroviral treatment-nearly a doubling of people on treatment from 2013 to 2017-and provide 13 million male circumcisions for HIV prevention.

    Specifically for the girl child, PEPFAR announced that the program is now investing nearly half a billion dollars to support an AIDS-free future for adolescent girls and young women. This includes strategically aligning $300 million ?in additional prevention investments in the Determined, Resilient, Empowered AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) partnership, launched in 2014 to support adolescent girls and young women living in the highest burdened areas of 10 sub-Saharan African countries. By 2017, PEPFAR hopes to reduce HIV incidence by 40 percent among this group.

    On September 27, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry at the UN General Assembly echoed these announcements and they affirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to an AIDS-free generation.

    On September 28, PEPFAR also made a $10 million contribution over three years to the Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund to build the capacity of civil society. Along with UNAIDS, PEPFAR will launch a new $4 million, two-year initiative to strengthen the capacity of faith communities to implement the most effective HIV prevention and treatment programs.

    PEPFAR stands as the U.S. government’s initiative to save the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally. Since 2004, the year PEPFAR began in Nigeria, PEPFAR has disbursed more than $3.4 billion, or more than N675 billion, to support the Nigeria HIV/AIDS response. PEPFAR investments also help alleviate suffering from other diseases across the global health spectrum. Driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations, PEPFAR will continue to make smart investments to save the lives of Nigerian girls and others around the world afflicted by HIV/AIDS.

    – Entwistle, is U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

  • $700m spent on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria in 2014—UNAIDS

    A whooping sum of $700 million was spent in 2014 in an attempt to halt the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, Bilali Camara, Country Coordinator for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said yesterday.

    Camara made the disclosure while on a courtesy visit to the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

    He said 3.4 million Nigerians are currently living with HIV/AIDS.  58 per cent of these are women and 60,000 children have been infected with the dreaded disease.  Nigeria, therefore, needs to increase its funding to fight the scourge.

    The UNAIDS Coordinator said Nigeria should tackle the issue urgently.

    “It is important because children who are our future, 60,000 of them, were infected in 2014.It is an important issue because 170,000 of our brothers and sisters who were having children died of AIDS last year,” he said, adding that the organisation assisted in screening and testing of Nigerians, including pregnant women to prevent the transmission of the virus to babies and the treatment of those infected.

    “If you look at the situation in the past few years, we really have a very good result which actually puts Nigeria among countries in the central Africa which were able to stop the spread and reverse the trend of HIV.”

    He said the contribution of the Global Fund investment to Nigeria confirmed the need for Nigeria to step up funding towards the elimination of HIV/AIDS.

    “If you look at the expenditure for 2014, we have spent actually $700 million and if you look at that amount, only 25 per cent came from domestic resources and the rest came from outside.

    “I will be honest with you to say that if you look at the premises, the trend has not changed as many resources are coming from outside and little is coming from inside. That is not the way we have to deal with this issue,”he said.

    Gbajabiamila, in his response, stressed the need to promote prevention of the disease rather than treatment in order to fully halt the dreaded disease by year 2020.

    On the needed funding, he said from the $700 million spent last year, $515 million was sourced from outside the country, adding that the low funding from Nigeria could stem from a conspiracy theory.

    He said the National Assembly will ensure provision of adequate funding and continue to pass relevant legislations when necessary.

    Gbajabiamila said: “When one looks at the problem from that point of view, then it requires full attention and all hands have to be on deck, including that of the legislature.

    “It has become obviously a human right problem and issue. We are happy to note that there is provision that by 2020, it would have been eradicated. Whatever we can do as a Parliament towards the realisation of that, we will definitely do.”

  • Akwa Ibom seeks USAID’s help to fight HIV/AIDS

    Akwa Ibom seeks USAID’s help to fight HIV/AIDS

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has appealed to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to expand its HIV/AIDS intervention programme to all local government areas in the state.

    The governor made the appeal on Tuesday in Uyo when the agency paid him an advocacy visit in line with its 2015 programme outline for the state.

    Emmanuel, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, assured USAID of the government’s support in the fight against deadly disease.

    “The readiness of my administration to welcome efforts that will complement the goals and cardinal agenda of my leadership is not in doubt.

    “We use this medium to appeal for necessary assistance from international donor agencies in combating menace of the dreaded disease.

    “We will work with USAID through the ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to ensure that the organisation achieves its objectives in the state,” he said.

    The governor noted that the USAID had robust programmes that could bring succour to vulnerable children and women in the state.

    He said that the state looked forward to having sufficient succour from the organisation.

    Earlier, the USAID representative, Mrs Susan Coleman, said that they came to acquaint the governor with its programmes on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

    “We are also here to introduce the newest project of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the state as well as indicate effort to mitigate the impact of the virus,” she added.

     

     

  • HIV/AIDS

    The term AIDS is an acronym that stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. It is acquired because the victims do not inherit the condition, but contract it. Immune deficiency means that the victim’s natural bodily defense mechanisms are unable to function properly, and “syndrome” refers to the combination of different abnormalities or diseases making up this condition.

    AIDS is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably results in death. The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I and II already isolated.

    Although there have been wide speculations and insinuations as to the origin of the virus (HIV), the fact still remains that the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in North America, Europe and Central Africa about the same time in 1981. Since then, cases are being reported all over the world and most countries now have people with “full-blown” AIDS as well as carriers infected with the virus. It occurs in about 1 to 10% of the population and the incubation period is 4 to 10 years.

    The virus has been isolated mostly from semen, vaginal secretion and blood. It is generally believed to be contracted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, use of un-sterile instruments such as needles, blades and catheters, trans-placental infection, organ transplant, tattooing and circumcision as well as breast-feeding.

    The major characteristic feature of AIDS is weight loss of about 10kg within 1 month without a known cause. Other symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, skin infections, oro-pharyngeal candidiasis, swollen lymph glands and night sweating.

     

    Prevention

    Prevention of AIDS is achieved through avoidance of casual sex, and other factors that may predispose to HIV infection; as well as sterile procedures in clinico-surgical practices.

     

    Treatment and Control

    Before recommending our treatment and control packages for HIV/ AIDS, it is pertinent to ask the following questions:

    1.            Why do outbreaks of serious infectious diseases leave some people devastated and others free?

    2.            If some people are known to be carriers and could go around with the virus for up to 15 years before they physically breakdown, couldn’t there be ways of helping to cleanse the virus from the system before it manifests?

    3.            Are the sufferer’s thoughts, aspirations and living habits not affecting the disease cycle as well as response to treatment?

    If yes, then in Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total care of HIV/AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

    The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and longevity in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion. Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • Don discovers cure for HIV/AIDS

    Don discovers cure for HIV/AIDS

    A Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Maduike Ezeibe has said that medicinal synthetic aluminum magnesium silicate (AMS) can be used to cure HIV/AIDS.

    Prof. Ezeibe said that AMS, an anti-viral medicine which he invented, has been patented by Nigerian government and has been tested and proven to cure the dreaded HIV/AIDS. He spoke in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. The Prof. of Veterinary Medicine said he has been working on the medicine since 1998 which has been concluded with results available for all to see.

    Prof. Ezeibe said the Magnesium Silicate is available in the country, likewise the aluminum silicate, but AMS is not available in the country.

    “However, there was need for me to create the synthetic one which I used to make the medicine,” he said.

    He further stated that the two minerals have been purified and are being used as

    medicines in the country, adding that both were reacted to get a synthetic form of AMS.

    He explained that the medicine will also cure the Ebola virus and bird flu which have similar virus with HIV/AIDS, stressing that all the viruses are positively charged.

    Ezeibe said the patients who volunteered to be tested on the viral loads of HIV/AIDS and for clinical trials of the MSAMS were assessed before and after they were treated.

    He said the treatment lasted for four weeks, eight weeks and 12 weeks respectively, adding that, “a patient (names withheld) who could not access approved laboratory for viral load test on time, continued the treatment for 24 weeks.

    Being treated with the medicine means that viral load of HIV/AIDS patients reduced from 86 per cent after four weeks, 96 per cent in eight weeks, 99.7 per cent in 12 weeks and the signs complained of before the treatment vanished at the end of the treatment and there were no side effects after taking the drug”.

    Ezeibe said his works has been published by the World Journal of AIDS, adding that the publication is currently making waves across the world as a great contribution to medicine from Nigeria.

    He noted that despite the result he got he was not satisfied, as a male patient from Jos in Plateau State with 4,000 RNA who, after treatment came down to 1,000, which, to him, was not what he expected.

    Ezeibe said: “I was satisfied when a female doctor from Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia told me that it is not the viral load that matters, but the

    RNA and that if it is below 51 per cent, it means that the patient is cured, as the body immunity will wipe out the remaining virus if any.”

    Prof. Ezeibe said as a Veterinary Doctor, he cannot prescribe the dosage that could be administered on a patient, urging doctors to monitor their patients.

    “When their RNA is below 50 per cent, the drug administration should be discontinued,” he said.

    He challenged the Federal Government and other s in authority to come after him the way they went after Dr Agbalaka and if not help him to produce the drugs to help mankind.

  • Free HIV/AIDS screening for 1500 women

    No fewer than 1,500 grassroots women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will benefit from free HIV Aids screening and medical services in the 2015 Medical Women Association of Nigeria summit, Chairperson, Local Organising Committee of the summit, Dr. Fatima Zara has said.

    She said purpose of the summit was to converge women to improve their health care.

    She spoke during MWAN Donor’s Parley Meeting held in Abuja.

    Zara said maternal and infant mortality have continued to affect women development and their children.

    She identified need for the private sector to continue to respond to empowering women in the country.

    Among other thematic areas listed include immunization, Malaria, breast and cervical cancer screening and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    The 2-day summit is scheduled to hold in July.

    Secretary of the Association, Dr. Eno Usoroh disclosed that the association having about 30 chapters across the country has designed programmes to partner with private sectors and international organisations.

    She said the association could give small grants, monitor and evaluate projects as well as enbark on humanitarian service.

    She added that the association would also support community based organisations and women associations to showcase need of the women to relevant stakeholders.

    In her remarks, President of MWAN, Dr. Valeris Okon said the 35 years old association was founded to cater for women helalth care delivery.

    She said in order to meet medical needs of the women, the association had to extend offices to some of the north eastern states.

    She said: “We saw our chibok girls taking away. That is the reason we have expanded MWAN to Yobe, Kano and we are extending to Mauduguri very soon.

    “We realised that women are more interested in looking after their husband instead of their children”

    “Women are mostly affected in Cancer and HIV, Coronary diseases. We made them know that they need to take care of themselves instead of looking for funds like the husband. If women care about their health, then we will be able to get better world we want,” she added.

     

  • Ending the HIV/AIDS pandemic

    SIR: Across all indices, the incidence of Human Immuno- Deficiency Virus (HIV), the precursor of the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS, has drastically noose dived. Not only has the prevalence rate of HIV dropped to a commendable 3.1 percent from the about 3.8 percent it peaked between 2004-2005, the amount of new HIV infection has also dropped significantly to less than 0.22 percent, about 220,394 cases of infection, from a worrying peak of 0.49 per cent, about 348, 564 cases, in 2003.

    Now consider this: independent surveys conducted variously by the United Nations Agency on AIDS, UNAIDS, the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria, Health Systems Strengthening, all indicated that HIV prevalence among pregnant women of ages 15-25 years have dropped by 33%- from 6% in 2001 to 4.10% in 2010, with “remarkable progress in the intervening period between 2010 and 2014,” according to the Health Systems Strengthening report.

    These feats were not reached in sudden flight. Concerted efforts by agencies such as the UNAIDS, the US President’s Emergency Funds for AIDS in Africa, PERPFAR, The Global Funds (for AIDS), to mention a few, have seen multidimensional approaches to the struggle to end HIV. These approaches have strengthened prevention and control mechanisms like HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) and provision of treatment through Anti Retroviral Treatments (ARTs), thus, stemming the tides of the infection. Since testing to know an individual’s status is the most crucial point in dealing with the menace of HIV, these efforts have seen a rise in the number of people tested with known results enlarging from 605,364 in 2006 to about 4 million in 2013, corresponding to a remarkable increase in HCT sites across Nigeria from 206 in 2006 to 7,075 in 2013.

    Equally remarkable is the increase in ART sites from 107 places in 2006 to 820 in 2013, which places more than 639,397 people living with HIV on treatment from a far lower 132,438 in 2006. Suffice to mention that provision of ART services have been the major preoccupation of PERPFAR and the Global Fund.

    As Nigeria marches towards the finish -line on AIDS, the effort of the National Control of AIDS, the government body responsible for harnessing all efforts towards fighting HIV/AIDS needs to do more to complement the current efforts.

    Government commitment towards ending the pandemic in Nigeria, though not entirely impactful, has yielded considerable result. In 2013, President Jonathan launched the Presidents Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP) to accelerate achievement of key interventions like PMTCT and HCT. Recently, too, the Subsidy Reinvestment Program (SURE-P) of government dedicated up to eight billion naira towards Elimination of Mother- to- Child Transmission of HIV (EMTC) and provision of treatments for those in need. This fund has seen the PMTCT coverage rose modestly from 17% in 2010 to 30% in 2014. Then there is the important issue of policy that attempts to streamline HIV-related issues like discrimination and stigmatization, which are hurdles to implementation of policies.

    In a landmark legislation that shows government’s preparedness to end HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, President Jonathan recently signed into law the Anti Stigma Law passed by the National Assembly. This legislation, which provides for prevention of discrimination against those living with HIV and make access to healthcare a human rights issue is a welcomed development as Nigeria aspires to end AIDS.

    Assuredly, Nigeria will be able to end the pandemic by the projected year 2030 if the current tempo is consolidated. A HIV-free generation is within sight already, kudos to the collaboration of all stakeholders in the fight.

     

    • Abonu, a development journalist,

    Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja.