By Correspondent in Lokoja
The Society for Women Development and Empowerment of Nigeria (SWODEN) in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has expressed the determination to ensure that 95 per cent of Nigerians infected with HIV and AIDS know their status by 2030.
Mr Aliyu Christopher, the Programme Officer of SWODEN, told newsmen at the commencement of a five-day capacity training for key and vulnerable populations on Monday in Lokoja.
‘We are working towards achieving United Nation (UN) vision on HIV/AIDS, called ‘Vision 2030’ also known as ‘Vision 95-95-95′.
”The vision 95-95-95 simply means that 95 per cent of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria will know their status, and 95 per cent who know their status are enrolled for treatment, and lastly 95 per cent of those enrolled for treatment achieved viral suppression.
”We expect that by the time we meet this target, we would have achieved zero HIV/AIDS infections and related deaths.”
According to him, it involves integrated approach by all stakeholders and Governments’ MDAs, CSOs to deliver high impact on HIV/AIDS projects.
Christopher stressed that the training focused on building the capacity of network of people living with HIV/AIDS for improved access to HIV/AIDS services.
According to him, the exercise also aimed at developing the capacity of key and vulnerable men, women, and young persons on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care and improve their access to HIV services and efficiency.
He said the participants were drawn from the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), the umbrella body of all network organisations of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
Others, he added, were:Association of Positive Youths in Nigeria (APYN), Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN), and Key Populations (KPs) such as male and female sex workers and those who inject drugs.
Christopher noted that the subpopulations were targeted because their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS was very high.
He added that the organizations targetted their programme to build the capacity participants, especially in the areas of human rights and improved access to HIV/AIDS services in Nigeria.
He added: ”When they do not know their rights, they are likely to face a lot of decrimination and stigmatisation in their work place and society.
”Stigmatisation is against the Federal government policy on anti HIV/AIDS laws”.
He expressed optimism that effective collaboration with all stakeholders and the global funders would result in effective HIV/AIDS service delivery, adding that Nigeria looked forward to meeting the target of UN Vision 95-95-95 in year 2030.
One of the training Co-Facilitators, Mrs Grace Ayebe the participants were expected to cascade the training by sharing the knowledge gained to other members of their respective associations, individual homes and communities.
She urged the communities not to stigmatise people living with HIV/AIDS in the society but give them adequate support and care.
One of the participants, Rose Abdullahi, commended the organisers for putting the training together to improve the capacity of participants to have access to effective HIV services.
