Public Relations Officer, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Rivers State Chapter, Mrs. Peace Sokari says, the fear of stigmatisation has made a lot of persons living with HIV/AIDS, particularly women who are ignorant of the anti-stigmatisation Act, to hide their status and refuse seeking medical treatment.
Mrs. Sokari, who made this known during an interview with our correspondent, explained that the disease is not a death sentence and persons with HIV/AIDS should adhere strictly to the advice of a dietitian.
“The advice here is to assess your status and live positively well, so when you adhere to the prescription and medications, including hospital visits, you will see that you will live positively well”, Mrs. Sokari said.
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She further highlighted the challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS.
“Poverty is another thing remember the antiretroviral drugs you are supposed to take every day some people don’t even have food and you are asking them to take drugs every day, and another challenge is that some that are not married keep asking themselves when they will get married, but from counsellin,g you will still be married and get your children” she added.
Mrs. Sokari, however, commended relevant agencies for partnering with the Government to implement an initiative known as the GIPPA Principle, targeted at gainfully employing people living with HIV/AIDS, as a way to tackle poverty and unemployment.
