Among numerous
challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) is the lack of viral load machines in Rivers State, and stigmatisation by the public, especially Healthcare providers.
The Coordinator of Rivers State Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (RIVNEPHAN), Mrs Josephine Emmanuel stated this yesterday at an interactive forum with PLWHIV and donation of food stuffs organised by the Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS (RIVSACA).
According to her, the non-availability of viral load machines in the state “has constituted serious challenges resulting in the death of some PLWHIV.
“This is because not everybody can afford to travel to neigbouring states, such as Benin, to ascertain their viral levels, which determines the effectiveness of drugs taken, and hence determines the level of drugs to be taken,” she said.
Another key challenge, she continued, is stigmatisation by healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses.
“Healthcare providers are the closest confidants to PLWHIV, hence, situations in which information about the status of PLWHIV is disclosed to a third party with little or no knowledge of HIV results in stigmatisation. It also comes in the manner of selective attention to PLWHIV,” she said.
Mrs Emmanuel also  acknowledged the fact that the attitude of such health care providers, relatives, colleagues, etc also lead to self- stigmatisation by PLWHW, who become unnecessarily conscious of their status, resulting in their inability to relate freely with the society.
She thus called on the State Government to provide viral load machines in the state and take pro-active steps to curb stigmatisation of PLWHIV at all levels.
Speaking on stigmatisation at the occasion, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker stated that beyond providing health facilities, the State Government is doing everything possible to check  such vices as stigmatisation, especially by health care providers.
Dr. Parker, who was represented by his Special Assistant on HIV/AIDS, Dr. Michael Nyemini, said “the best we can do is to educate healthcare providers who practice such act, and to tell persons living with HIV that there are laws put in place against such action.
“If there is positive proof that someone discriminate against them, or stigmatises against them, especially among the health community, we will want to know of such cases, and we will deal with them appropriately”, he said.
On what is being done to acquire viral load machines in the state, he said “Rivers State is one of the few states that have taken the issue of upgrading health care facilities very seriously.
“But one thing you must understand is that the mere presence of a vital load (machine) doesn’t  solve any problem.
“Persons living with HIV?AIDS do not have to go anywhere to ascertain their viral load. What they need to do is to take advantage of their health  facilities.

Soibi Max-Alalibo

The South-South Commandant of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire, Lt Col.Omueti Sunday (left), receiving a potrait from Capt Augustine Micheal during his visit to Oyigbo Division of Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire last Wednesday.