The Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), Ondo State chapter, has appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to approve the employment of more trained persons living with HIV in health facilities across the state to sustain treatment adherence and reduce stigma among patients.

The State Coordinator of the network, Prince Aladelusi Adesina, made the appeal during an interview with The Hope concerning the welfare of Persons Living With HIV.

He commended the governor for recently approving employment for some members working in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) departments, but requested for more, noting that each facility should have at least one or two trained persons living with HIV working in key departments to encourage patients to continue accessing treatment.

Adesina said the request had become necessary as donor-supported HIV programmes gradually move towards sustainability plans, stressing that many patients rely on familiar caregivers and counsellors who understand their experiences.

According to him, failure to retain and employ trained members of the network could discourage many patients from visiting health facilities for treatment due to fear of stigma and discrimination.

He explained that several members of the network have received training in community health, counselling, testing, and other HIV-related services, while some have worked closely with patients for years.

He noted that their emotional connection with clients and understanding of confidentiality issues make them valuable assets in healthcare facilities

The NEPWHAN coordinator expressed concern that progress made in reducing HIV prevalence in the state could be reversed if patients discontinue treatment. He recalled that Ondo State had recorded significant improvements over the years through awareness campaigns and counselling efforts.

According to him, many people were encouraged to know their HIV status after he and his wife publicly disclosed their status years ago to demonstrate that an HIV diagnosis was not a death sentence.

Adesina also lamented what he described as reduced support for HIV intervention programmes following cuts in donor funding.

He claimed that shortages of some essential commodities, including condoms, vitamins and training opportunities for healthcare workers and counsellors, have affected service delivery.

He urged the state government to strengthen support for the Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ODSACA) to sustain gains recorded in the fight against the disease.
Speaking on treatment adherence, he said inadequate counselling of newly diagnosed patients was contributing to defaults in medication use.

He noted that in the past, patients received extensive counselling on the importance of taking their drugs consistently, maintaining healthy lifestyles and avoiding self-stigma.

According to him, such intensive counselling sessions have reduced in recent years, making retraining of health workers and counsellors necessary.

Adesina further disclosed that the network continues to care for vulnerable and orphaned children affected by HIV, including two children currently under his care whose parents died from the disease.

He said many such children have been abandoned by relatives because of stigma associated with HIV. He appealed to government agencies, development partners and philanthropists to provide support for the children and other vulnerable persons living with the disease, while warning that new HIV infections are still being recorded regularly in the state.