Discriminate against HIV patients, go to jail —Oyo Govt

Oyo State government, on Friday, launched its state HIV/AIDS anti stigma law to stem stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV.

The provision of the law relating to other offences, any person or institution, who contravenes any of its provisions prescribes on conviction to a fine of not less than N250, 000 for individuals and N500, 000 for organisations or imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or both.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi who launched the state HIV/AIDS anti stigma law said it was aimed at curbing and stemming the tide of HIV transmission by checkmating the adverse and unpleasant attitude of some people to persons and individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

The governor, speaking through the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, said, “we owe it a duty and responsibility to protect and preserve the lives of every citizen in the state and its dwellers to ensure their wellbeing irrespective of disease condition, social or economic status.

“The mere fact that an individual is infected with HIV does not render such an individual less human neither does it remove his or her integrity and fundamental human rights.

“By this law, it becomes a criminal offence punishable under the law of Oyo state for any individual or organisation to abuse, stigmatises, discriminate or subject in any manner that could be demeaning or deny the rights and privileges of any person or group of persons as a result of HIV positive status.”

He, therefore, charged that the law be enforced and violators brought to book that the incidence of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS could be drastically reduced in the state.

Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Oluseun Abimbola remarked that Nigeria’s constitution did not distinguish between people adding, “Where a mischief is found in the treatment of some categories of persons, then the law must be used to correct such.”

Abimbola quoted section 10 and 11 forbids employers and owners of educational institutes from requiring a person to take HIV test as a precondition for employment or admission.

“This is important to check the emerging trend by employers particularly some multi nationals who under the guise of “general medical checks” conduct HIV tests on employees without their knowledge,” he declared.

Wife of Oyo State governor and Chairperson of Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), Chief Florence Ajimobi stated that stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV has adversely affected the level of uptake of HIV services in the state.

She declared: “research has shown that discrimination against people living with HIV for delayed initiation of HIV treatment and services,” adding “this invariably increases the prevalence and burden of HIV/AIDS in our society.

Mrs Ajimobi, therefore, urged for increase public awareness on the state HIV/AIDS anti stigma law so that individuals can begin to adopt acceptable behaviour towards anyone living with HIV/AIDS.