The Deputy Chief Whip of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Obiajulu Princess Ugwu, has asked persons living with HIV/AIDS to continue to take their treatment and medications seriously.
According to her, this would enable them to manage the disease as well as maintain healthy living.
The deputy chief whip said this in a statement released on Friday to commemorate the 2023 World AIDS Day in Enugu.
“Today, December 1, 2023 marks yet another unique day for us to remember and identify with our parents, brothers and sisters living with HIV/AIDS in a very special way.
“This day is earmarked by the UN to encourage and challenge those living with the disease not to lose hope in their daily struggle to stay alive, in spite of the excruciating pains, discomfort and inconveniences.
“A recent report published in 2023 states that Enugu State has 3,736 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), with a 1.9 per cent HIV-positive prevalence rate.
“It is heart-warming to note that Enugu State Government is winning the battle against prevalence rate of the viral disease, which stood at 5.1 per cent in 2010 and 4.9 per cent in 2017”, she said.
The lawmaker, however, noted that the government would not rest on its oars to ensure that Enugu is AIDS free by providing all logistics, funds and medications needed to achieve it in shortest time.
Ugwu hinted that the current Assembly would not hesitate to enact laws to protect persons living with HIV/AIDS against stigmatisation and discrimination, if need be.
“While encouraging those with the disease to visit hospitals and take their anti-retroviral drugs, I equally advise others to get tested as to know their HIV status, to avoid contracting the disease.
“Together, we can get through the last mile in this fight; we continue to save lives and ensure that we never return to the early days of the HIV/AIDS pandemic,” Ugwu added.
Take your treatment seriously – Lawmaker urges persons living with HIV/AIDS
