ABSACA warns churches, employers against discriminatory practices on PLHIV

The Abia State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, ABSACA has advised churches, religious bodies and employers in the state against subjecting people living with HIV in the state to rejection or other forms of discrimination.

The warning was given by the Director General of ABSACA, Dr Uloaku Emma-Ukaegbu in Umuahia on Wednesday during a one-day sensitization meeting with media houses on emerging issues in HIV prevention.

The DG who identified stigma as one of the factors that can obstruct the fight against the spread of the disease, said her office has been collaborating with concerned government ministries, religious leaders, communities and schools correcting every misconception about HIV infections in the state.

Emma-Ukaegbu who said that the prevalence rate of HIV infection in Abia is still at 2.1% according to the 2018 National survey report among states, disclosed that the age bracket in the figure is between 15 and 64 years.

According to her, in Abia, Ukwa East ranks first in prevalence in the local government with 2.48% in both sexes, with Ikwuano LGA at 2.38% and Obingwa LGA accounting for a 2.29% prevalence rate.

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She also listed the local governments in Abia State with the lowest prevalence rate as Umuahia North 1.17%, Ohafia LGA 1.25 %, Bende LGA 1.28%, and Isuikwuato LGA 1.28%.

She appealed to the media to help in the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS and also encouraged those living with HIV not to abandon their medications as doing so could lead to a resurgence in viral loads.

The DG who called for a national policy to begin manufacture of HIV treatment drugs in the country, said there are sustained campaigns to prevent mother-to-child infection of HIV in Abia.

Also, Mrs Ekeoma Akidi and Munachi Aguomba of ABSACA lamented that derogatory names were given to persons living with HIV in the media while some communities demand the transfer of any teacher found to be living with HIV, saying that such harmful practices must stop.