Business Day, 16 November 2014

Globally, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is on the decline following concerted efforts by international agencies including National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA) to fight the deadly disease. New cases of HIV infection have significantly dropped as a result of medical breakthrough, increased awareness and the need to take precautionary measures to check its resurgence.

Despite efforts aimed at reducing the HIV/AID pandemic, the issue of stigmatisation and discrimination against People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has continued to constitute a clog in the war against the disease. In Africa, including Nigeria, there is visible discrimination and stigmatisation of PLWHA which leaves such victims psychologically depressed with a feeling of alienation and worthlessness.

Employees in work places, who are victims of such discrimination, hardly put in their best in terms of productivity as they have low self esteem and worth. Often times, most organisations refuse to offer jobs to such people believing that they have nothing worthwhile to offer.

With the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly in April 2014 passing a Bill that seeks to protect the human rights and dignity of PLWHA as well as an offence for any employer, institution, body or individual to require an HIV test as a pre-condition to an offer of employment, access to public/private services or opportunities, the problem of discrimination has continued unabated.

In the light of this, Friends Africa, a non-governmental organisation, working to mobilise strategic political and financial support in the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria has in the last three years led the war against HIV stigmatisation.

The third edition of the Superstars Play for Life Anti-stigma and Discrimination campaign with the theme 'Getting to Zero, billed to hold at Campos Mini Stadium, Onikan Lagos, on December 6th is aimed at leveraging on the power of sports to create more awareness about HIV/AIDS stigmatisation and provide an avenue to empower people with information to help prevent new infections, increase access to voluntary counselling and testing.

Akudo Anyanwu-Ikemba, CEO/founder, Friends Africa, said that whereas the major issue facing the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains the stigma and discrimination of PLWHA, continued stigmatisation of patients have caused them to neglect treatment and/or have access to their drugs. She stated that campaign remains focused on ensuring stigma and discrimination is completely eliminated from Nigeria.

"Companies and businesses have a unique role to play as they interact with PLWHA directly in employment relations and indirectly through employees' families and customers. The private sector has an opportunity to contribute in developing a vibrant and productive business environment that offers a business case for prevention, care and treatment.

"This year, we intend that at least 20, 000 Nigerians know their HIV/AIDS status via voluntary counselling and testing, over 300 PLWHA supporting and actively participating during the campaign as well as launch HIV Counselling & Testing from December 1st to 5th 2014 at Campos Mini Stadium, Sandgrouse Market, Lagos Island and Sports Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka from 9am to 5pm daily," Anyanwu-Ikemba explained.

Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, head, corporate communications & sustainability, Access Bank Plc pointed out that although Access Bank remains committed to ending the scourge against the pandemic, there is need to increase advocacy and the impact of the campaign to more communities.

Clem Ugorji, public affairs and communications manager, CocaCola Nigeria, stated that every problem in the community can be solved when there is a golden triangle which strongly involves the government, people and civil societies.

"The power of awareness cannot be equated to anything else and the first step needed to address the pandemic is to encourage more people to get tested and know their status and this is what CocaCola remains committed to," Ugorji explained.

For Uche Mojekwu, head, corporate communications and CSR, FCMB "FCMB remains focused on ensuring a healthy workforce by empowering is communities with the necessary life skills needed to address stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV."

ALEXANDER CHIEJINA

Source: Business Day