Each year December 1st is observed as World AlDS day across the globe to spread awareness about the disease and remember all those who lost their lives to it. The first celebration of this day was observed in the year 1988, and since then it has been an annual event globally. This year theme of world AIDS day 2021 is " End inequalities. End AIDS", with a special focus on reaching people left behind. World health organization ( WHO) and it partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services, free access to effective treatments and drastic steps and measures are being put in place to reduce this inequalities and end AIDS. The first cases of what would later became known as AIDS were reported in the United states (US) in June of 1981. Today there are more than 1.2million people living with HIV in the U.S, and there are more than 35,000 new infections each year. In Nigeria the first two cases of human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) was detected in Lagos state, identified in 1985 and were reported at an international AIDS conference in 1986.
According to UNICEF Nigeria, in Nigeria, almost 8 out of 10 new HIV infections occurring in adolescents aged 10 - 19 occur in adolescent girls. An estimated 83,000 pregnant women in Nigeria are HIV positive, 20,695 children aged 0 - 9 years are newly infected with HIV in 2020, while 30% of AIDS related deaths in 2020 occurred in children. In every two minutes a child was infected with HIV in 2020 (UNICEF Nigeria). Only about 3.5% of the 1,629,427 Nigerians receiving anti - retroviral treatment (ART) are children. We need to work together to prevent new infections and increase access to treatment for children living with HIV/AIDS. The covid-19 pandemic is deepening inequalities which have driven the HIV epidemic, putting vulnerable children and mothers at increased risk of missing life-saving HIV prevention and treatment services. The promise of an AIDS - free generation is one that can and must be kept. HIV is preventable, but prevention efforts and treatment for children living with HIV/AIDS remain some of the lowest amongst key affected populations. On this world AIDS day, iam calling on governments, global leaders to ensure life - saving testing and treatment are accessible to all. To finally end HIV and AIDS, we must support every mother and child with quality care. We need to act now. We can still end AIDS by 2030, but only if we act courageously and together to take on inequalities. The measures needed to tackle inequalities include: community-led and people-centred infrastructure, equitable access to medicines, vaccines and health technologies, human rights, to build trust and tackle pandemics, elevating essential workers, and providing them with the resources and tools they need, People-centred data systems that highlight inequalities.
In 2020, globally, Eswatini had the highest prevalence of HIV with a rate of almost 27% followed by Lesotho and Botswana. In Nigeria, a new survey results indicate that Nigeria has an HIV prevalence of 1.4% results released by the government of Nigeria of 1.4% among adult aged 15 - 49 years. Previous estimates had indicated a national HIV prevalence of 2.8%. According to Avert, Nigeria has the second highest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the highest rates of new infection in sub - saharan Africa. Nigeria has made great progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS from 3.2million people living with HIV, it has dropped to 1.9million people as at 2019. Also from a prevalence of 3.2% in 2004, it has declined to 1.4% in 2021 (a 1.8% difference). Nigeria also has made steady progress on increasing access to treatment for people living with HIV, with the adoption of a test and treat policy in 2016. This measure has further accelerated referrals to treatment facilities for people who test positive for the virus. From 2010 to 2017, the country almost tripled the number of people living with HIV having access to anti - retroviral therapy, up to 360,000 people in 2010 to more than 1million people in 2018. However, the new estimates released indicates that more than half of people living with HIV still do not have suppressed viral loads. The fight against HIV in Nigeria must be sustained by not only government, but by everybody. Everyone have to contribute their quota in reducing the negative HIV statistics in Nigeria. We all have a role to play and do much more by spreading the message and not the virus.
National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) says an estimated 51,000 persons (including both adults and children) living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria died in the first two quarters of 2020. The highest number of deaths was recorded among female adults, with 17,000 deaths. Unprotected heterosexual sex account for 80% of new HIV infections in Nigeria, with the majority of remaining HIV infections occurring in key affected populations such as sex workers. According to NACA, in Nigeria 48 out of every 1,000 persons selected at random in states are likely to test positive for HIV. Apart from the disease itself, the lack of awareness, stigmatization and social taboos associated with HIV/AIDS are also worsening the conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS. Public education and awareness sensitization campaigns are necessary to enlighten and educate the citizens about the virus and the need to practice safe sex. The Nigerian HIV/AIDS indicator and impact survey (NAIIS) has shown that Akwa lbom state has the highest prevalence rate of HIV in the country.
Below are the analysis/breakdown of HIV prevalence in different states in Nigeria 2020/2021.
1. Akwa lbom - 5.6%
2. Benue - 4.9%
3. Rivers - 3.8%
4. Taraba - 2.7%
5. Anambra - 2.4%
6. Enugu - 2.1%
7. Abia - 2.1%
8. Delta - 1.9%
9. Nasarawa - 1.9%
10. Edo - 1.8%
11. Bayelsa - 1.8%
12. Cross River - 1.7%
13. Imo - 1.6%
14. Plateau - 1.5%
15. FCT - 1.5%
16. Lagos - 1.3%
17. Borno - 1.3%
18. Adamawa - 1.3%
19. Ogun - 1.2%
20. Gombe - 1.2%
21. Kaduna - 1.0%
22. Kogi - 1.0%
23. Kwara - 1.0%
24. Ondo - 0.9%
25. Osun - 0.9%
26. Oyo - 0.9%
27. Ebonyi - 0.8%
28. Niger - 0.7%
29. Ekiti - 0.7%
30. Kebbi - 0.6%
31. Kano - 0.5%
32. Zamfara - 0.5%
33. Yobe - 0.4%
34. Bauchi - 0.4%
35. Sokoto - 0.4%
36. Jigawa - 0.3%
37. Katsina - 0.3%
The south south zone of the country (Niger- delta) has the highest prevalence of HIV at 3.1% among adults, north central zone with 2.1% and south east zone with 1.9%. The three regions with lower HIV prevalence rate are the south west zone with 1.2%, north east zone with 1.1% and north west zone with 0.6%.
STIGMATIZATION AND DISCRIMINATION
Stigma and discrimination prevents people living with HIV to access the care and support they need. Stopping stigma and discrimination will go a long way in fighting HIV and lead to better health outcomes for everyone.
Be the solution! Break the cycle of stigma!
In conclusion, the message from UNAIDS executive director, Winnie Byanyima to mark the world AIDS day 2021, she saluted the front- line communities that have pioneered the approaches shown to be most effective, that have driven the momentum for change and urge global leaders to be bold, work together urgently to tackle this challenges head on. And also urge them to be courageous in matching words with deeds, keep pushing to finding lasting solution to the AIDS scourge by 2030. She sum up her message with a note that every minute that passes, we are losing a precious life to AIDS. We don't have time, we must all joint hands together to fight and defeat the AIDS scourge, a global public health concern by 2030 in all countries of the world.
HIV FACTS:
- You can have HIV and not know it.
- There is no cure. However, with timely diagnosis and effective medical care, HIV can be controlled.
- HIV is not transmitted by kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing food or water.
- HIV can only be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluid, rectal fluid and breast milk.
People can reduce their risk of getting HIV by:
1. Using condoms.
2. Ensuring that their partners who are living with HIV are taking treatment.
3. Using PrEP to prevent getting HIV if you have ongoing risk, including during pregnancy.
4. Using sterile needles and syringes for all injections.
5. Getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections.
THE STATISTICS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/ AIDS IN AFRICA - SOURCE: WHO AFRICA, 2022.
According to the World Health Organization Africa, over 25. 5 million people in the African Region are living with HIV. Discrimination is a significant barrier to HIV testing, treatment and care. We can end the stigma by raising awareness, learning our facts and starting the conversation. Governments and partners must come together urgently to address the inequalities that are holding back progress in ending AIDS by 2030 before it's too late.
POLITICAL DECLARATION ON HIV/AIDS.
As part of the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, countries adopted the 10-10-10 targets, pledging action to remove punitive and discriminatory laws, policies and practices that target people living with HIV and other key populations. The targets represent a critical opportunity to invest in key population leadership and capacity while driving progress on HIV.
Today, young people (15 - 24 years) account for 40% of all new adult HIV infections. Each day , more than 2,400 young people become infected with HIV - and some five million young people are living with HIV.
(Source: UNAIDS, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA UNODC & NACA).
#ENDINEQUALITIES #ENDAIDS #ENDPANDEMICS #ENDAIDSBY2030.
#GlobalGoals #SDGs #SDG3 #GoodHealthAndWellBeing #WorldAidsDay2021 #EndinequalitiesEndAIDS #stigma #HIVStigma #Discrimination #HIVDiscrimination #HIV #AIDS #HIVAIDS #NACANigeria #HIVinNigeria #TheGlobalFund #WHO #ECOWAS #AU #EU #UNFPA #NACA #UNODC #UNICEF #UNICEFNigeria #Un_Nigeria #euinnigeria UKinnigeria #UNDPNigeria #UNDP #CYPLP #UN.
A BRIEF PERSONAL PROFILE OF ENOBONG EKWERE (SDG3 - GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ADVOCATE) IN NIGERIA.
Comrade Enobong Ekwere is a social influencer, blogger, vlogger, environmental/ human rights activist, peace practitioner, grassroot social mobilizer, SDGs advocate and a global citizen. Enobong Ekwere also have vast knowledge and professional expertise in copy writing, content creation, online and offline media campaigning. He is the program manager of children and young people living for peace (CYPLP), an organic, volunteer of experts, youth focused and a think-tank non-governmental organization based in Kaduna state, Nigeria. A Higher National Diploma (HND) graduate of Public Administration (Upper Credit) from the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria. Enobong Ekwere holds a proficiency certificate in management from the Nigerian Institute of Management, Chartered (NIM) Lagos, Nigeria. He is also a graduate member of the institute (Associate member in view). He works with young people in local communities across Nigeria localizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) (SDG16+ SDG4 and SDG5 in particular) and positive peace frameworks in Nigeria, accelerating action online and offline, engaging duty bearers and policy makers to be accountable for it's implementation by 2030. He is a strong advocate of peace, good governance and democracy, accountability in government, freedom of information, freedom of expression, access to information, free press, social justice and social inclusion. As a youth advocate and a global leader who loves to see social reforms in the society, he uses his personalized blog to write compelling stories on developmental and topical issues on national and global concern that shapes and transform people's lives and impact the larger society for knowledge transfer and lifelong learning. He engages in community service and volunteerism, community outreach, social mobilization and advocacy tours to hard to reach local communities in Nigeria advocating and advancing the cause of the SDGs (SDG16+ SDG4 and SDG5 in particular) so that no community and youth in Kaduna state and Nigeria at large would be left behind. CYPLP as an organization works primarily in serving vulnerable population of children, youth, elderly persons, persons with disabilities (PWD's) and women in unserved, underserved, underrepresented and marginalized local communities in Nigeria.
My areas of competence in peace education and peace building process includes;
1. Conflict mapping, sensitivity and analysis
2. Negotiation, mediation and reconciliation
3. Interreligious and intercultural dialogue
4. Protection of civilians
5. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR)
6. Security sector reforms (SSR)
7. Mainstreaming gender in peace keeping
8. Mainstreaming gender in peace and state building
9. Crisis management/resolution
10. Media and conflict
11. Conflict and natural resources
12. Conflict prevention
13. Peace support operations (PSOs)
14. Post- conflict reconstruction and development
15. Humanitarian action
16. Transnational organized crime
17. Piracy and maritime security
18. Preventing violent extremism (PVE) etc.
Enobong Ekwere has an extensive professional working experience in projects such as;
1. PRELT (Prevention of radicalization and extremism leading to terrorism)
2. BRAVE (Building resilience against violent extremism)
3. iDOVE (Interfaith dialogue on violent extremism) in local communities across Kaduna state and Nigeria at large.
I have initiated two projects to counter religious and violent extremism among the youths in local communities in Nigeria, and one empowerment program, these are;
1. CAARE ( Countering Attitudes Against Religious Extremism)
2. CAAVE (Countering Attitudes Against Violent Extremism)
3. NEET (Not in Education, Empowerment or Training) an empowerment training program aimed at training vulnerable population of young people in local communities in Nigeria with leadership skills, entrepreneurial and vocational skills acquisition.
He can be reached via:
Tel/WhatsApp: +2347082558952
Email: julyenobong2020@gmail.com
: enobongekwere825@gmail.com
MY PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/enobong.ekwere.372
TWITTER:
http://www.twitter.com/Enobongekwere2
INSTAGRAM:
http://www.instagram.com/enobongekwere825
LINKEDIN:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/enobong-ekwere-3271b116b
MY ORGANIZATION'S SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/cyplp.net.ng/
TWITTER:
http://www.twitter.com/youngpeoplefor/
INSTAGRAM:
http://www.instagram.com/cyplp/
WEBSITE:
www.cyplp.net.ng
INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER - INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (IHRC) GENEVA, SWITZERLAND.
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