World AIDS Day: Experts Advocate For Equality In The Fight Against Virus

Stephen Ajala

As part of the activities marking this Year's World AIDS day, celebrated on the 1st of December every year, medical experts at a seminar organized by the Virology Research Clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, have advocated for end to inequalities militating against the treatment and prevention of the virus.

The seminar with the theme: "Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice" had in attendance health officials, parents and selected students within the Ife metropolis.

The celebrations which kicked off with a rally within the Hospital environs, highlighted the urgent need to end the inequalities that drive AIDS and other pandemics around the world.

It was noted that the World is off track from delivering on the shared commitment to end the virus by 2030, not because of lack of knowledge or tools to surmount it, but because of structural inequalities that hamper proven solutions to HIV prevention and treatment. 

The Project Coordinator, Professor Ebun Adejuyigbe in her speech said, “The aim of the seminar is on how to put an end to AIDS and that up until this time, it has been an issue of what we would do.” 

She added that some patients want to get the medications but nobody to assist them in assessing it due to either fund or living in remote areas, noting that HIV/AIDS virus can be totally eradicated with the existing improvement on the medications, encouraging every carrier to adhere strictly to their medications and instructions given by their medical practitioners in order to achieve a world free of HIV.

She further urged parents especially pregnant mothers positive with HIV to present themselves early at the hospital for proper care and monitoring to ensure that their newborns are not infected with the virus. He asserted that, “No newborn baby delivered in OAUTHC has had the virus except babies delivered outside the hospital and brought in for further care.”, concluding that one day, the virus would be eradicated and we would all witness the end of it alive.  

Lending her voice to the advocacy of ending HIV, Matron Elizabeth Ogunwemimo encouraged regular usage of the prescribed drugs and not absconding from the hospital for treatment. Also, Matron Ganiyat Lawal reiterated that the patients should desist from running away from treatment and advised the participants to be their brother’s keeper.

Mr. Peter, a graduate who has lived with the virus said, “Regular usage of the drugs is pertinent and not to underrate oneself.” Likewise, Mr. Emmanuel, another carrier of the virus said, “To prevent AIDS, the usage of the anti-retroviral drugs, exposure to the right knowledge about the virus are key to ending it.” There was also a quiz competition by the participants who were majorly secondary school students. 

Ruth Godwin emerged victorious at the end of the contest. Gifts were presented to the first, second and third positions by Dr (Mrs.) Bisi Ayandike, a proprietress of Sunshine Nursery and Primary School, Ile-Ife to draw a curtain on the event.