World’s AIDS  Day: Stakeholders Urged  To Up Game Towards Achieving   HIV/AIDS Free Society 

December 1, 2023, marking the 35th annual World AIDS Day, DevComs Network has issued a call to action, urging all stakeholders to renew their commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

The theme for this year, “Led communities lead,” emphasizes the collective effort needed to address health disparities and achieve the ambitious targets set by UNAIDS within Nigeria’s borders.

Programme Coordinator for Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research Institute, Dooshima Uganden, emphasizes targeting vulnerable populations, a sentiment echoed by DevComs. Mrs. Omobonike Adebayo, DevComs Programme Officer, Communication, called on all stakeholders to stand resolute in achieving UNAIDS targets, ensuring a future free from the burden of HIV/AIDS for all citizens.

DevComs Network emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS, urging government officials, healthcare professionals, development partners, activists, and citizens to participate in various events across the country, including seminars, workshops, and awareness walks.

In response to the gravity of the HIV/AIDS challenge in the late 1990s and 2000s, Nigeria intensified efforts to curb the virus’s spread, enhance treatment access, and eliminate associated stigma and discrimination. Collaborative initiatives involving the Nigerian government and various stakeholders include:

Increased Testing and Awareness: The call is for continuous scaling up of HIV testing and counseling services, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.

Accessible Treatment: While commitment exists to provide life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for everyone living with HIV, there is a need for expanded treatment centers and improved medication availability.

Prevention Programs: Continuous investment in comprehensive prevention programs, focusing on education campaigns, condom distribution, and support for high-risk populations, is deemed crucial, especially among the younger generation.

Community Engagement: Recognizing communities’ crucial role, involvement of Civil Society Organizations, Academia, Faith-Based Organizations, and NGOs in HIV/AIDS program design and implementation should persist.

Combating Stigma: Efforts should continue to eliminate discrimination and stigmatization associated with HIV/AIDS through public awareness campaigns, dispelling myths, and promoting understanding and empathy.