Media is a better placed to help demystify the HIV/AIDS epidemic by dispel misconceptions that often lead to stigma and discrimination of People Living with HIV/AIDS in our Country.

"STOP AIDS, KEEP THE PROMISE-ONE WEEK, ONE VOICE" theme of global week on HIV/AIDS have come and gone, let it be the opportunity of stakeholders for an over all assessment of the success attained over the year under review with regards the campaign against the HIV/AIDS, and to re-align their strategies for the future.
"Stop AIDS Keep the promise" theme adopted in 2001, came after a review of the Declaration of Commitment in the campaign against HIV/AIDS by all countries of the world including NigeriaThe prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria is about 4.4% translating to over 3.5 million people. The highest rate (5.6%) of infection is among young people aged 20-29 years. Despite progress in expanding prevention and treatment in the country, only 20% of males and 10 % of females between the ages 14 and 25 can correctly identify ways of preventing HIV transmission.

Only 30% of HIV positive pregnant women in the country are receiving Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART), free less than 10% of the population of People Living with HIV/AIDS has had access to free treatment without one problem or another
So call Federal Government Drug is no longer available, the one that is available has expired. They are now migrating people who are on government to PEPFAR.
The question is if PEPFAR stop now what is the fate of people on drug already? "Are we keeping our promises?" I asked, we know what works and we need to find out why programmes that work have not been implemented in the light of universal access. Leaders across the board, including civil society organizations (CSOs) should be aware that the public and the world are watching which is why we must be very serious about the promises we have pledged ourselves to keep.
Promise of treating (250,000) PLWHA by 2005, care and support for PLWHA, promise of greater involvement of PLWHA, promise of youth participation and other promises.
Progress in the attainment of these promises is being monitored around the world which, imply that leaders need to speak out and show more commitment.
It is in this regard that the media comes in as a strong partner in the health development of the country as well as a contributing factor in the spread of essential health messages to the general population.


The will and commitment of leaders across the spectrum including those at the highest level have been pivotal in countries experiencing a decline in the HIV prevalence rate.

Journalists should keep to their promises by getting more involved in "a positive way" and know the terms they will be using that are not stigmatized. Opinion leaders and media houses should devote time for HIV/AIDS activities free of charge. The role and contribution of journalists and the media is critical in this national campaign against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Let us take the advantage of the free Voluntary Confidential and Counseling Testing opportunities provided across the country, it is a key entry point for individuals and their families to know their HIV status. For universal access to be achieved, many people will need to have access to prevention, treatment and care services as they relate to HIV.
Testing and Counseling, are closely linked to prevention, treatment and care, the success of which, must be accompanied by concerted efforts aimed at increasing the demands for these facilities especially in communities that are most at risk.

Confidentiality and human rights as well as stigmatization and discrimination and the disclosure of the status of persons are major conditions that need to be protected since they are causes of people’s non-compliance. HIV/AIDS treatment and care programmes include nutritional support is a core intervention mechanism. Adequate nutrition is essential to the maintenance of the immune system and ensuring optimal benefits from the use of anti-retroviral therapy and other medicines.
There is need to have budget for nutritional support for Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPWHAN) for the support group that make up the Network