By Chioma Obinna
A renewed call to end stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS has resonated across Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State with the official flag-off of the HIV/AIDS Zero Stigma Campaign.
The campaign, organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in collaboration with Fresh Insight Nigeria Limited, was inaugurated on Tuesday at Shasa, Akowonjo. It drew government officials, health professionals, community leaders and development partners committed to addressing HIV-related stigma.
The event, themed “Zero Stigma Campaign and Sensitisation Against Discrimination of Persons Living with HIV in Alimosho LGA of Lagos State,” underscored the urgent need for sustained public education and community engagement.
Speaking at the flag-off, the Director and District Head of Alimosho Local Government, Olawale Opoola Abiola, noted that stigma is not limited to HIV alone but cuts across various health conditions.
“Stigmatisation is not associated with HIV alone; persistent cough is similarly stigmatised because such cough can also fast-track the fellow’s death,” he said. He stressed the importance of continuous awareness, adding, “The fact that you are HIV positive does not mean life has ended. We have professionals everywhere living with HIV and still living fulfilled lives.”
Programme Supervisor of Fresh Insight Nigeria Limited, Adetutu Adebimpe, commended stakeholders for their prompt support, describing the intervention as timely and critical.
“I thank the Local Action Committee on AIDS managers who made themselves very available. I am very happy to be here because this programme, though sudden, is very important,” she said.
Representing the Director-General of NACA, Mr. Raheem Muhammed, Deputy Director, Special Duty Department, warned that stigma remains one of the deadliest threats in the HIV response.
“People did not die because HIV killed them; stigma and discrimination killed them,” he said, explaining that fear of ridicule often forces people to abandon treatment or even contemplate suicide.
Also speaking, NACA’s Gender and HIV Stigma Focal Person, Mrs. Emmanuela Agbagba, highlighted how discrimination discourages testing and treatment uptake.
“When there is stigma and discrimination, people don’t like going for HIV tests. Even those who know their status may refuse treatment, which increases the risk of death,” she said, noting that early testing and consistent medication significantly reduce mortality.
Stakeholders agreed that the Zero Stigma Campaign will boost public health outcomes by promoting testing, treatment adherence and community acceptance. They emphasised that sustained sensitisation, strong community leadership and collective action remain critical to ensuring that no one is isolated or denied care because of their HIV status.
The Alimosho flag-off marks another step in Nigeria’s broader effort to eliminate HIV-related stigma and build a healthier, more inclusive society.
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