World AIDS Day; CISHAN wants govt., Stakeholders to Scale up HIV testing, treatment services in rural areas
Ibrahim Momoh, Lokoja
As the entire globe commemorate the World AIDS Day 2024, the Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN), has called on the Nigerian government, Civil Society Organizations, and all stakeholders to Scale up HIV testing and treatment services, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
This was contained in a statement signed by DR Remi Obinatu,
Chairman of the Governing Council of CISHAN, to the World AIDS day 2024 in the state, titled “Commemorating World AIDS Day 2024: A Call to Action for a Resilient and Sustainable HIV Response in Nigeria”
The group also want the government to address the social and economic determinants of health, including poverty, stigma, and discrimination, which it said exacerbate the HIV epidemic and as well Promote human rights and gender equality by recognizing that these are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic.
“CISHAN remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria achieves the 95-95-95 targets by 2030. We urge everyone to join us in this effort, as we strive to create a world where people living with HIV can lead healthy and fulfilling lives, free from stigma and discrimination.
THE STATEMENT IN FULL
Commemorating World AIDS Day 2024: A Call to Action for a Resilient and Sustainable HIV Response in Nigeria
As we mark World AIDS Day 2024, the Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CISHAN) joins the global community in reaffirming our commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. This year’s theme, “Closing the Gap,” resonates deeply with our mission to promote a resilient and sustainable HIV response in Nigeria.
“Today, we honor the lives lost to AIDS and celebrate the progress made in the fight against this disease,” “However, we are equally mindful of the gaps that remain in our response, particularly in reaching marginalized communities and ensuring equitable access to HIV services.”
As we commemorate World AIDS Day 2024, CISHAN calls on the Nigerian government, Civil Society Organizations, and all stakeholders to:
1. Scale up HIV testing and treatment services*, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
2. *Address the social and economic determinants of health*, including poverty, stigma, and discrimination, which exacerbate the HIV epidemic.
3. *Promote human rights and gender equality* by recognizing that these are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic.
CISHAN remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria achieves the 95-95-95 targets by 2030. We urge everyone to join us in this effort, as we strive to create a world where people living with HIV can lead healthy and fulfilling lives, free from stigma and discrimination.
DR Remi Obinatu
Chairman of the Governing Council of CISHAN.
01/12/2024
