‘How religious leaders can help stop HIV/AIDS stigmatisation’

[Mirror]

Mr Salisu Ahmed was devastated when he discovered he was HIV positive. This happened 16 years ago when any news about the disease was greeted with so much horror and revulsion. Mr. Ahmed was not spared this kind of treatment from everyone that came across him. He was ostracised by his community; even his wife got separated from him.

Mr. Ahmed who is from Lagos State narrated his ordeal briefly to Sunday Mirror, "It was a horrible experience at first when I discovered I was HIV positive. By the time it happened, I was already married with children. When my wife got to know about my status, she separated from me because of the situation. My whole family and community stigmatised me when the news of my status became public. In those days, it was a big deal to say you are HIV positive. So coming out publicly to declare it was not an easy task for me but I still went ahead to do it. You see, I refused to allow the self stigma within me to weigh me down. When I overcame the self stigma, I knew that no external stigma can run me down anymore" he said.

Mr. Ahmed acts as a peer educator for HIV/AIDS. He goes round to educate the youth about the dangers of living a reckless life and the need to take the necessary precautions in avoiding being infected with the disease.

The World Health Organisation pronounces HIV as a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 25 million lives over the past three decades. It says since the early days of the AIDS epidemic, stigma and discrimination have been recognised as obstacles for programs providing HIV prevention and care services to people living with and affected by the disease. People living with HIV face stigma and discrimination in a variety of contexts, including the household, community, workplace, and health care setting.

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, says: "Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, that is why people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world. We can fight stigma. Enlightened laws and policies are key. But it begins with openness, the courage to speak out. Fortunately, more and more people are finding their voices."

The need for many to lend voices to curb stigmatisation of HIV/AIDS victims in Nigeria therefore becomes imperative. It is on this premise that a faith based group called Hope for HIV/AIDS International in collaboration with the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) with support from UKaids is addressing HIV related stigma and discrimination using a faith based approach in Nigeria. This is because the country has a strong attachment to religion and it will be wise to involve religions leaders to help sensitise their followers on the need to stop stigmatisation of HIV victims in the churches or mosques.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 2013 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial organised yearly to remember those who have passed on and those currently living with HIV held at Baptist Guest House Ilupeju, Lagos, the Project Coordinator of Hope for HIV /AIDS International, Pastor Rex Ajenifuja, said, "the Hope for HIV/AIDS international is fighting stigma by involving the faith leaders of both Christians and Muslims to join hands and stop stigmatisation of HIV victims through their sermons in the churches and mosques."

Also speaking at the event, President of the Ifako Ijaye Muslim Community and member of the Project Advisory Board, Alhaji Yinusa Lasisi, also said that Muslim faith leaders play an important role in influencing their followers. "HIV is becoming endemic in Nigeria and we as faith leaders should be able to sensitise our followers on the implications of living with HIV. We need to create awareness and ensure that those who live with HIV are not stigmatised and decimated against".

Salisu Ahmed, also speaking at the2013 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial said religious leaders need to speak openly about this sickness in their churches and mosques and to help stop the victimisation of those living with HIV. "The religious leaders themselves must face reality of this infection. They should speak to their members about this sickness and how to stop ostracising people with HIV since they preach about love to their congregation. They must accept that for now, HIV AIDS has no permanent cure but can only be managed. They must try to save their followers' lives because by telling them they can heal them through prayers, many lives have been lost unnecessarily. If the spiritual leaders themselves can help these victims by giving them the necessary support and needed information on how best they can manage the ailment, many people living with HIV will stop going around seeking for miracles instead of medical solution to their problem. Education is therefore very important in stopping stigmatisation of HIV positive victims," he lamented.

Chairperson of the Project Advisory Board, Rev Abayomi Oduwole, who is also Chairman of the Akoka Chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) noted that the role of the faith community in "quenching the fire" created by HIV related stigma and discrimination cannot be over emphasised. "In an environment of substantial integrity deficit, faith leaders still have the highest level of credibility. Therefore, we cannot afford to keep silent about HIV and AIDS in our congregations. Advocating stigma reduction requires continuous and sincere efforts by all," he said.

What is the group currently doing to curb stigmatisation of HIV victims in the churches and mosques?

Mr. Ajenifuja said, "Through its stigma and discrimination project targets 1,500 faith leaders drawn from the 10 LGAs in Lagos namely: Ajeromi Ifelodun, Alimosho, Badagry, Ifako Ijaye, Shomolu, Mushin, Epe, Ojo, Oshodi/ Isolo and Ikorodu, the organisation is working with Christian, Muslim and community leaders to reduce HIV related stigma and discrimination. One of the approaches being used is the capacity building of these 1,500 faith leaders. They are being equipped with telephone counselling lines, sermon delivery and other support skills so that they can offer psychosocial support to their members who may require counselling on HIV related issues. As a follow up to the project's activities, the formal public presentation of the HIV Hotline Telephone Counselling Project is slated for July 4," he explained.

Hope for HIV/AIDS international says their major focus is to actively involve religious leaders and community heads to fight stigmatisation of people living with AIDS in their community and congregation. Ending stigma demands strong, sensitive, truthful and well-informed leadership. That is why these leaders are being involved and trained appropriately by the group to handle counselling and HIV related issues in their congregation and community. They called on all religious leaders in the country to join them to stop the stigmatisation of those infected with this disease through their sermons and other related supports.

By so doing, those infected with this deadly virus can receive the love; attention and necessary support they need to manage this disease and at the same time live productive lives that will benefit them and the society at large.

National Mirror