By Mary Agidi

As World AIDS Day approaches, Nigerian journalists have been urged to intensify advocacy efforts by engaging with the National Assembly to prioritize HIV response within the country’s health agenda.

The Country Coordinator of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Funmi Adesanya, issued this call during a virtual interactive session with members of the Journalists Against AIDS in Nigeria (JAAIDS).

Adesanya assured participants of PEPFAR’s continued support for HIV response efforts in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of ensuring equitable access to HIV care and services.

She highlighted PEPFAR’s partnership with the Network of People Living with HIV and a national agency to extend care to mentally challenged individuals, a vulnerable group often overlooked in HIV interventions.

She urged journalists to advocate for sustainable HIV response strategies and utilize available PEPFAR resources to amplify their efforts. Adesanya also announced the imminent launch of a new Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication in Lagos, targeted at key populations at higher risk of HIV infection, in two weeks time.

In her remarks, Melissa Jones, Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nigeria, stressed the need for tailored HIV messages that resonate with every key population. She commended journalists for their role in spreading awareness and fostering behavior change to reduce HIV risk.

“Your efforts are commended, you’re so much appreciated ,” Jones remarked, highlighting the critical role of the media in promoting access to care and combating stigma.

She warned that stigma not only deters individuals from seeking care but also incurs additional social and economic costs. Jones underscored the importance of psychosocial support and accessible primary health care for all Nigerians.

“We are temporarily able, there will be a point in our lives that we will be disabled,” she noted, emphasizing the need for inclusive services for people with disabilities.

The Coordinator of JAAIDS, Olayide Akanni, called on journalists to question Nigerian governments about their preparedness for sustaining HIV response efforts, particularly in the face of potential reductions in donor funding. She emphasized that HIV remains a significant challenge, requiring proactive strategies to address future uncertainties.

Gbenga Adebayo of Living Health International lauded PEPFAR for its commitment to building the capacity of the media to engage effectively in HIV response advocacy.

World AIDS Day: A Call for Unity

World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, serves as a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV, honor lives lost to AIDS, and combat HIV-related stigma. Since its inception in 1988, it has provided a platform for communities worldwide to show solidarity and resilience in the face of the epidemic.