World AIDS Day:  Federal Govt Tasks States On Speedy Passage Of Anti-discrimination Bill For HIV

As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate the World AIDS Day, the federal government has tasked all State Houses of Assembly who are yet to pass the anti-discrimination bill for HIV to speedily do so.

The secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha, stated this on Thursday during the commemoration event of the 2022 World AIDS Day,  themed:  “Equalise”,  in Abuja.

He also appealed to State Governors to abolish the payment of user fees that limit access of pregnant women to antenatal services during pregnancy.

Mustapha said though the country has recorded enormous achievement towards ending the epidemic, HIV still remains an unfinished business because of barriers that pose a threat to ending AIDS by 2030 if not tackled headlong.

He, therefore, called for collaborative effort towards ensuring equal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services devoid of stigma for children, adolescent and key populations who have been left behind.

The minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, stressed the need to address  barriers arising from various circumstances that still impede HIV prevention, treatment progress.

He said “Prevention Services calls for collective action and renewed commitment to leave no one behind as we move to achieve epidemic control and end AIDS by 2030.”

In his welcome remarks, the director-general of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (AIDS), Dr. Gambo Aliyu, said the theme of this year ‘s World AIDS Day is a call to action, urging everyone to address the inequalities holding back progress in ending AIDS.

“We need to increase availability, quality and suitability of services, for HIV treatment, testing and prevention, so that everyone is served,” he said.