Pupils of Sunshine Nursery and Primary School in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Monday joined the global community to commemorate World AIDS Day, with a call to action to protect the rights of children living with HIV/AIDS.
World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1st, is a global health day dedicated to raising awareness about Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and the impact of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic.
This year's theme, "Take the Rights Path, My Health, My Right" emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all individuals, including children, have access to quality education, healthcare, and protection from harm.
At a presentation held within the school premises and attended by journalists, the pupils, led by their representatives Darasimi Oyetunji-Alemede, the School Council President; Mengou Mesi, the Headboy and Adebusuyi Pearl, the Headgirl, lamented the stigma, discrimination, and limited access to essential services faced by children living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
To address these challenges, they demanded that leaders and policymakers provide free and quality antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all children living with HIV/AIDS, ensure that all schools are safe and inclusive for children living with HIV/AIDS and support families affected by HIV/AIDS with economic empowerment programs.
The pupils also called on their peers to get educated about HIV/AIDS, speak out against stigma and discrimination, and support children living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
Earlier in her keynote address on the theme "Taking the Rights Path" Emphasis on Nigerian Child Rights, the Proprietress of the School, Dr. Adebisi Anyadike, stressed the need for safeguarding the rights of children in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
She highlighted the School's activities for this year's event which she noted are focused on creating more awareness on the disease and supporting children who are HIV positive in the community.
"In line with this year's global theme of taking the rights part, we are focusing on assisting children who are HIV positive.
"As an institution that cares for children, we believe every child living with HIV/AIDS has full rights and access under the law to be protected and given the deserved care and treatment and this forms the basis for our campaigns and support programme.
"We have found out that over 80 children are receiving being cared for to manage the disease at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex here in Ile-Ife and our plan is to support at least 30 out of the 50 of them identified to be from poor homes.
"The whole of this week our pulpils have been engaging in series of awareness activities which they started since last Friday including selling of red ribbons out to the general public to raise money to buy some items for these children.
"Other activities lined up for this year's event is meeting with and interviewing the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Health this Tuesday to have an insights into what is being done to support children in this predicament.
"On Thursday, we are having experts from virology department from the Teaching Hospital to give free HIV/AID test for the people in our immediate community, that is Road 7 here.
"Then on Sunday, the World AIDS Day, December 1st, Sunshine Press publish a compilation of all our events and activities held in marking this year's edition of the event.
The educationist further urged the public to dismiss the old conception regarding the disease.
"I want to use this opportunity to let the world and the Ife community in particular know that the current reality with HIV/AIDS is different from what it used to be.
"Now there are effective medications and treatment for HIV without having to lead to AIDS. That is why proper awareness like this is very needed. People need to make themselves available to acquire the right information and support when need.", She added.
In her contributions, the Head Teacher of the School, Mrs Funke Asiyan encouraged the pulpils to sustainable the positive attitudes they have developed in the prevention of the spread and treatment of the disease.
"I will like to use this opportunity to urge you to keep up the good work. Keep yourself informed and educated and always be ready speak for and support families and friends in need of help. God bless you", she said
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