Oyo criminalises stigmatising people living with HIV/AIDS

The Oyo State Government on Friday launched the state’s HIV/AIDS Anti-Stigma Law 2016, to protect and preserve the fundamental rights of people living with the disease.

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi said at the event held at the House of Chiefs, Oyo State Secretariat, that the law was to checkmate the increasing rate of stigmatisation and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS.

Ajimobi, represented by Mr Azeez Adeduntan, the Commissioner for Health, said that HIV and AIDS was no longer a death sentence as was widely believed.

He assured that his administration would ensure strict implementation of the law, and called on all stakeholders to join hands with government in eliminating stigmatipsation and discrimination against those infected with the virus.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Ajimobi had assented to the Oyo State HIV/AIDS Anti-Stigma Law on Oct. 15, 2016.

The law states that people living or affected by HIV and AIDS have a right to freedom from discrimination on the basis of their real or perceived HIV status.

According to the law, such people have freedom and access to continued employment, good conditions of employment, employment benefits and comprehensive health services.

The others were education, use of public facilities and other social services provided by employer, community, government or any other establishment.

The law stipulates a fine of not less than N250, 000 for individuals, N500, 000 for organisations or imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or both for anyone who contravened its provisions.

Similarly, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, the wife of the Governor, described the law as a landmark achievement in the history of the state.

The governor’s wife, who doubles as the Chairperson, Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), said that stigma and discrimination were barriers hindering access to care and treatment.

“It is no doubt that stigma and discrimination against people infected or affected by HIV and AIDS exists at all levels of human endeavour and this has adversely affected the level of uptake of HIV services in the state.

“The consequences of stigma and discrimination against these persons may result in low turn-out for HIV counseling and testing

“Also included are; identity crises, loneliness, depression, low self-esteem, lack of interest in containing the disease and in a few cases, suicide,” she said.

The OYSACA chairperson said that research had shown that discrimination against people living with HIV was a contributing factor for delayed initiation of HIV treatment and services.

She said that many of those people living with HIV did not began care regimen within the first six months after diagnosis due to fear of stigma, discrimination and shame.

According to her, this ultimately increases the risk of morbidity and mortality among HIV infected individuals.
“The state HIV and AIDS Anti-Stigma law launched today has made it a criminal offence for anyone or institution in the state to deny an individual living with HIV/AIDS a right or due benefits as a result of his or her status.”

The governor’s wife called on all stakeholders to identify with the law and give it the necessary public enlightenment for the benefit of the general public.

She expressed confidence in the legal instrument to drastically reduce the incidences of stigma and discrimination.
Mr Seun Abimbola, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, said that the implementation of the law across the state was a collective responsibility of all.

Abmbola urged all relevant stakeholders to obtain a copy of the law and become vanguards of the implementation.
He commended the passion of the governor’s wife which saw the law become a reality.

Representatives of various NGOs on HIV/AIDS in their goodwill messages applauded the government for the law, calling for its strict implementation.

NAN reports that the event was attended by members of the State Executive Council and members of OYSACA across the 33 local governments in the state.