Organisations under the aegis of Civil Society on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) have emphasized that addressing the lack of youth-friendly HIV treatment facilities and the scarcity of HIV test kits is essential to eradicating HIV as a public health concern by 2030.
They noted that stigma prevents individuals, particularly young people, from accessing HIV testing and treatment services due to concerns about confidentiality.
The Oyo State CiSHAN Coordinator, Seun Onifade, during a press conference to mark World AIDS Day 2024, stated that social and economic determinants of health—such as poverty, stigma, and discrimination—aggravate the HIV epidemic.
Onifade, alongside CiSHAN’s assistant secretary, Joseph Ujokere, and other members, including Mrs. Abimbola Elizabeth and Mrs. Olufunmilayo Owolabi, highlighted that promoting human rights and gender equality is vital to ending the AIDS epidemic.
He called for the provision of HIV testing kits for civil society organizations (CSOs), the release of funds for HIV-related activities, the scaling up of testing and treatment services in rural and hard-to-reach areas, and the enforcement of antistigma laws.
“We are equally mindful of the gaps in our response. We urge the Oyo State government to take immediate action to address the social and economic barriers to health, including poverty, stigma, and discrimination.
“In about two private universities in Oyo State, students were denied accommodation due to their HIV status. We are disappointed that the Oyo State government has remained very quiet and inactive in its response to this issue.
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“This case has discouraged many individuals from seeking treatment because they value confidentiality, especially young people who fear that stigma could ruin their families’ reputations.
“This challenge is significant because most of the HIV-positive cases we have today are not seeking treatment due to stigma. Stigma is fighting back.
“In the last three years, there have been no targeted programs for adolescents and young people. Adolescents are reluctant to visit healthcare facilities for HIV testing and prefer to approach NGOs for services. However, these NGOs lack the test kits necessary for intervention.
“We call on the Oyo State government to support and release funds for HIV-related activities. Over the past four years, funding has been inadequate, with no substantial allocation for HIV programs in the state.
“The high cost of HIV test kits remains a critical challenge for civil society organizations. These kits are no longer as readily available as before, posing a significant barrier to our efforts.”
