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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES MAY 26, 2013
‘How religious leaders can help stop HIV/AIDS stigmatisation’ FACTS Seven suggestions for combating HIV/AIDS stigma Stop seeing AIDS as an ‘us’ and ‘them’ issue: AIDS is in our religious institutions. Base education on people’s real experience, not on wishful thinking. Encourage theological and ethical reflection on HIV/AIDS. Welcome people living with HIV/AIDS as a valuable resource. Build welcoming, non-stigmatising communities. Break the conspiracy of silence. Talk to them freely about the HIV/AIDS disease.
L-R: Executive Director JAAIDS, Olayide Akanni; Muslim leader, Ifako-Ijaiye LGA, Alhaji Lasisi; Rev. Mrs. Grace Adegboye, Pastor Rex Ajenifuja and PFN Chairman Akoka, Rev Yomi Odulaja, during the 2013 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held recently in Lagos.
VANESSA OKWARA
M
r Salisu Ahmed was devastated when he discovered he was HIV positive. This happened 16 years ago when any news about the disease was greeted with so much horror and revulsion. Mr. Ahmed was not spared this kind of treatment from everyone that came across him. He was ostracised by his community; even his wife got separated from him. Mr. Ahmed who is from Lagos State narrated his ordeal briefly to Sunday Mirror, “It was a horrible experience at first when I discovered I was HIV positive. By the time it happened, I was already married with children. When my wife got to know about my status, she separated from me because of the situation. My whole family and community stigmatised me when the news of my status became public. In those days, it was a big deal to say you are HIV positive. So coming out publicly to declare it was not an easy task for me but I still went ahead to do it. You see, I refused to allow the
self stigma within me to weigh me down. When I overcame the self stigma, I knew that no external stigma can run me down anymore” he said. Mr. Ahmed acts as a peer educator for HIV/AIDS. He goes round to educate the youth about the dangers of living a reckless life and the need to take the necessary precautions in avoiding being infected with the disease. The World Health Organisation pronounces HIV as a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 25 million lives over the past three decades. It says since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, stigma and discrimination have been recognised as obstacles for programs providing HIV prevention and care services to people living with and affected by the disease. People living with HIV face stigma and discrimination in a variety of contexts, including the household, community, workplace, and health care setting. United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, says: “Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are
Dirty money aids spread of diseases, say experts
Some medical experts have advised members of the public to wash their hands thoroughly after handling money to prevent infectious diseases. A resident doctor at the Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, Dr Tunde Akintoye, said that most bills and coins
became contaminated over time because they were being handled by many persons. “Research has shown that most notes carry germs and bacteria that can cause illnesses, particularly in the elderly and people with weak immune system. “Some of the diseases
caused by these bacteria include food poisoning, pneumonia, throat infection and vomiting. “Frequent hand washing should become an integral part of us, especially before putting food in the mouth to prevent infectious diseases,” Akintoye said.
Mr. Salisu Ahmed, living with the HIVAIDS virus
afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, that is why people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world. We can fight stigma. Enlightened laws and policies are key. But it begins with openness, the courage to speak out. Fortunately, more and more people are finding their voices.” The need for many to lend voices to curb stigmatisation of HIV/AIDS victims in Nigeria therefore becomes imperative. It is on this premise that a faith based group called Hope for HIV/AIDS International in collaboration with the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) with support from UKaids is addressing HIV related stigma and discrimination using a faith based approach in Nigeria. This is because the country has a strong attachment to religion and it will be wise to involve religions leaders to help sensitise their followers on the need to stop stigmatisation of HIV victims in the churches or mosques.
Speaking at an event to commemorate the 2013 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial organised yearly to remember those who have passed on and those currently living with HIV held at Baptist Guest House Ilupeju, Lagos, the Project Coordinator of Hope for HIV /AIDS International, Pastor Rex Ajenifuja, said, “the Hope for HIV/AIDS international is fighting stigma by involving the faith leaders of both Christians and Muslims to join hands and stop stigmatisation of HIV victims through their sermons in the churches and mosques.” Also speaking at the event, President of the Ifako Ijaye Muslim Community and member of the Project Advisory Board, Alhaji Yinusa Lasisi, also said that Muslim faith leaders play an important role in influencing their followers. “HIV is becoming endemic in Nigeria and we as faith leaders should be able to sensitise our followers on the implications of living with HIV. We need to create awareness and ensure that those who live with HIV are not stigmatised and decimated against”. Salisu Ahmed, also speaking at the2013 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial said religious leaders need to speak openly about this sickness in their churches and CONTINUED ON PAGE 54
HEALTH NEWS Rivers winning war against malaria –Commissioner The Rivers Commissioner for Health, Dr Sampson Parker, said recently that the state government was winning the war against malaria. He told newsmen in Port Harcourt that the state government’s anti-mosquito larva spraying programme had achieved meaningful
result and that the preliminary statistical data on the programme indicated a drop in the mosquito larva load in Rivers. Parker said the spraying programme had so far covered 10 of the 23 local governments in the state. “From the results, we
found out that malaria-related mortality is now almost insignificant and incidents of malaria, we have found out, have dropped by 60 per cent.” He said the programme had been adopted by the Federal Government and other West African states.