Too many people die simply for lack of access to the knowledge that can save their lives. This knowledge exists; however it remains inaccessible to those who need it the most. Access to health information is an integral part of all health systems because it can improve people's health
The media needs to do more to tackle the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS in the rural parts of Nigeria. HIV intervention and media's coverage of HIV/AIDS tends to focus on urban area of the country without minding what the Virus is doing in the villages and the effect of the disease has on vulnerable and helpless people that reside in the rural area of our society and also our agriculture because food production is from this rural populace.
I believe that media can help change this situation by presenting facts about the disease and its effect in our rural communities, by featuring stories of people living with HIV/AIDS in the rural area and highlighting support services also available in these communities.
Thousands of people are dying in the rural area of Nigeria without knowing the cause of there death. Majority of the cases where believe that they die of poising. 90% of people living in the rural area did not know there status, because they did not have access to VCT those who have access to VCT did not have access to treatment where by increasing stigma and discrimination.
It is crucial that we tackle HIV stigma, which impacts on the lives of people living with HIV, was very deplorable in the rural area and prevents people from coming forward to be tested. The media can play a vital role in presenting accurate information about HIV and challenging discrimination against those living with it in the rural area.
I also call on development partners, donor agencies, and organised private sector, politicians and decision makers to start encouraging organisations working in the rural area.
As part of the awareness campaign, care and support, Health Link Organization, a support group of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ekwulobia Aguata L.G.A., Anambra State with support from NEPWHAN, is delivering adherence treatment counselling, nutritional support, community dialogue on stigma reduction and training to PLWHA, PABA and O.VC.

I wish to use this opportunity to thank NEPWHAN and ARFH for this wonderful opportunity giving to health Link Organization Ekwulobia and other support group of people living with HIV/AIDS in the rural Community to prove what they can do in HIV interventions under global fund project Round 5.Lives of PLWHA where gradually improving trough this grass root intervention.