Godwin Isenyo
A group, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, has raised the alarm over the fate of the over 40,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Kaduna State, who are currently on treatment, following the impending withdrawal of donor agencies from the country, Arewa PUNCH reports.
The group, which is working to address the challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS, including stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence warned that the withdrawal of donor agencies would be “disastrous” if the government does not take ownership of HIV/AIDS interventions.
Comrade Bala Ismail -Ibn Ali, Coordinator of NEPWHAN in Kaduna State, disclosed to Arewa PUNCH on the sideline of a one-day multi-stakeholders’ dialogue organised by the Nigerian Network of Religious Leaders Living With or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS in Kaduna, that the group was working to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS have access to treatment and care.
He noted that the impending withdrawal of donor agencies would have “disastrous” consequences for those living with the disease, and called on the government to take immediate action to ensure the continuation of HIV/AIDS interventions.
He said, “We appreciate the government’s efforts; we have sufficient drugs, but often lack test kits. Thanks to the CSOs, our implementing partners, treatment is freely made possible by the government support.
“However, we’re sitting on a time bomb, living in fear as donor agencies prepare to withdraw.
“We urge the government to take ownership of these programs, or it will be disastrous.
“We’re relying heavily on implementing partners, who handle over 80 per cent of the work. We plead with the government to take ownership before it’s too late, as the withdrawal of international donors looms.”
Meanwhile, Amber Erinmwinhe, the National Coordinator/Executive Secretary of NINERELA Nigeria, emphasised the importance of a multi-sectoral approach in addressing these issues.
“We can no longer work separately on HIV and gender-based violence. It’s essential to recognise their interrelation and develop strategies to address both,” she said.
The NINERELA boss told Arewa PUNCH that the dialogue, themed: “Putting the community at the center of HIV and Gender-based response,” brought together 45-50 participants, including faith leaders, government representatives, non-governmental organisations, and media personnel.
She highlighted the crucial role of religious leaders in ending HIV by 2030, being the global target date.
“Religious leaders are at the forefront of this journey. We need to mobilise communities to own this response and ensure sustainability, especially with donors pulling out.”
Erinmwinhe also called on the government to increase resources and support for HIV treatment and prevention, stressing that community engagement is vital in achieving the 2030 goal.
The dialogue, she said, was aimed at harmonising strategies to eliminate HIV-related stigma and gender-based violence, with a focus on faith communities and the broader society, adding that similar events were planned for Kogi and Lagos States after the Kaduna event.
She remarked, “NINERELA Nigeria, with support from CIHP and PEPFAR/CDC IRIS, is hosting a one-day multi-stakeholder dialogue in Kaduna State to address HIV stigma, gender-based violence, and human rights violations. The theme, ‘Putting the community at the center of HIV and Gender-based response,’ highlights the interconnectedness of HIV and gender-based violence.
“We can no longer address these issues separately. NINERELA, an interfaith organisation, brings together religious leaders, government, NGOs, media, and other sectors to harmonise strategies to eliminate HIV-related stigma and gender-based violence in our communities.
“This dialogue aims to engage religious leaders, who are crucial in ending HIV by 2030, the global target. We have already hosted this dialogue in Kogi State and will do so in Lagos soon.
“We stress the importance of sustainability and community ownership, as donor agencies prepare to withdraw. We urge the government to take responsibility and allocate resources to ensure the continuation of HIV interventions.
“While donors have supported us, we must not rely solely on them. Our communities are central to this response, and we must work together to achieve zero stigma and discrimination by 2030.
“If people don’t access treatment, we are all at risk. This dialogue seeks to find strategies to address HIV and gender-based violence, ensuring that people living with HIV or surviving gender-based violence are not stigmatised or discriminated against.”
She also called on the government to increase resources and support for HIV treatment and prevention, emphasising that community engagement is vital in achieving the 2030 goal.
Arewa PUNCH reports that the dialogue, which brought together faith-based organisations, government representatives, and civil society organisations, aimed to address the challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS, including stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence.
It also sought to find solutions to the impending withdrawal of donor agencies from the country and to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS continue to have access to treatment and care.
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