The director-general, Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu has urged the media to restore the hope of People Living With HIV/AIDS through its reportage.
Mrs Emma-Ukaegbu made the appeal at a one-day sensitisation meeting for media houses on emerging issues on HIV prevention organised by the agency in Umuahia, the state capital.
She said, “We want you to avoid the use of sensational or derogatory language that has fuelled the issue of stigma and discrimination against People Living with HIV/AIDS.”
She explained that during the meeting, the participants’ basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS, its means of transmission and methods of prevention would be broadened.
“During the meeting, you will be informed of where the state in particular and the country at large stands in its prevalence as well as how you can help in curbing its spread through your reports.”
Emma-Ukaegbu maintained that such measures had become unavoidable “especially when we get to 2030 and beyond when donor agencies would have exited.”
Speaking on the top “HIV situation in Nigeria/Aba,” the DG maintained that people should sustain their guard against getting infected by the virus by all means.
In their presentations, the director, Prevention and Mobilisation, Ekeoma Akidi, and a resource person, Munachi Aguwamba, spoke on “The role of the media,” and “Stigma and discrimination,” respectively.
Responding on behalf of others, Kalu Eziyi of LEADERSHIP Newspapers, expressed delight for the opportunity, assuring that they would help change the narrative about the pandemic.
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