Business
RVHA TO Review Laws On HIV/AIDS
Rivers State House of Assembly says it will review existing laws on HIV/AIDS within the lifespan of the seventh Assembly to meet current challenges in the fight against the disease.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon Leyii Kwanee stated this Thursday when members of Journalists Alliance for the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (JAPIN) paid an advocacy visit to the state Assembly in Port Harcourt.
Hon Kwanee said the Assembly was determined to expand the provisions of the exisiting law on discrimination against person living with HIV/AIDS, and ensure that the rural areas receive adequate attention in the fight against the scourage of HIV/AIDS.
The Deputy Speaker, who lauded JAPIN for their interest in educating, enlightening and sensitizing people on the mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS, particularly from mother-to-child, promised to partner with the organisation to reduce the spread of the disease.
The lawmaker, who also represents Khana Constituency II disclosed that his passion to fight HIV/AIDS was rekindled when he lost his younger sister to AIDS, stressing that, today, the disease can be managed for the infected to live normal life.
He urged JAPIN to access rural areas in its programme and collaborate with the coordinator of the state Action Committee on AIDS (SACA), for meaningful impact.
Earlier, the coordinator of JAPIN, Mr Soibi Max-Alalibo had said the advocacy visit was to rally support for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) issues among political leaders, opinion leaders and private sector health workers.
Mr Max-Alalibo explained that the five years term for HIV/AIDS awareness from 2010 to 2015, is the three zeros namely, Zero new infections, Zero stigma/discrimination and Zero HIV/AIDS death”.