HIV/AIDS: It’s Zero Discrimination Day

Three decades after HIV/AIDS was first properly diagnosed, the medical world has made tremendous progress in stemming the infection rate, with a growing number of infected persons being able to access antiretroviral therapy that has made living with the disease less dangerous.

Again, fewer babies are being born with HIV, thanks to the innovation of prevention of mother-to child transmission; though much remains to be done as the number of newly infected people is still high, and many adults and children who need ART do not have access to it.

Beyond these challenges, experts have continued to decry the stigmatization and discrimination that Persons Living With HIV/AIDS must endure.

Consequently, March 1 of every year has been set aside to secure support for PLWHA, and to end the discrimination inherent towards their condition.

A press release signed by Head, Corporate Communications Unit of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Mrs. Toyin Aderibigbe, notes that People Living with HIV continue to face various forms of stigma, discrimination, and violations of their rights and dignity, which are barriers to the efforts to scale up access to comprehensive care, treatment, and support.