Students Warn Against Stigmatization Of People With HIV/AIDS

The Students of Sunshine Nursery & Primary School, have warned against the stigmatisation and discrimination of people with HIV/ AIDS in society.

Darasimi Oyetunji-Alemele, the President, School Council for the pupils of Sunshine school gave the warning at a Press Conference held in the School Premises, Road 7, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), on Monday, Ile-Ife.

Oyetunji-Alemele said that the school is joining the global community to commemorate World AIDS Day with the theme:”Take the Right Path”.

She lamented that many children living with HIV/AIDS across the country faced stigma, discrimination and limited to essential services.

The President added that everyone including children has the right to live a healthy and happy life regardless of their HIV status and they deserve access to quality education, healthcare and protection from harm.

Oyetunji-Alemele called on Nigerian leaders to provide free and quality antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all children living with HIV/AIDS and should ensure that all schools especially children living with HIV/AIDS are safe.

“There should be support for families affected by HIV/AIDS with economic empowerment programmes.

“Children and young people should get educated about HIV/AIDS and it’s prevention; kick against stigmatisation and discrimination,support children living with HIV/AIDS and their families”. She admonished.

The Senior Prefect,Salvation Nengou Mesi, said that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) can be transmitted through specific bodily fluids from a person who has the virus such as sexual transmission.

Nengou Mesi added that sharing of syringes, needles, or other drug injection equipment with someone who has HIV, mother-to-child transmission, exposure to contaminated blood, sharing utensils, among others can lead to affection.

The Head Boy noted that HIV/AIDs is not a death sentence for anyone who contracted it, adding that it can be cured if properly managed by medical practitioners.

He called on government to make law that could protect the rights of people living with HIV/AIDs and access to quality education.

He stated further that there is need to expand healthcare facilities in the country to be able to cater for people living with HIV/AIDs.

Also, the Senior Girl, Pearl Adebusuyi, stated that community can donate fund, food and toiletries to assist people living with HIV/AIDs.

Adebusuyi stressed that government should build adequate healthcare centers for treatment of people living with HIV/AIDs.

She however, called on people living with HIV/AIDs to be screened and treated immediately, saying that there is need for regular awareness and sensitisation programmes by government at all levels to curb the spreading of the deadly disease.

He warned people to abstain from anything that can cause and spread the disease in the society and child abuse by some parents.

Earlier, the School Proprietress, Dr Adebisi Anyadike in her welcome speech, welcome all and sundry, saying that the management is training the children for the challenges ahead and be informed about the global health issues.

Our Correspondent reports that World HID/AIDS Days celebrated on every Dec 1.