- Lagos Government Calls on Religious Leaders to Tackle HIV Stigma
- Animashaun called for collective responsibility in eradicating stigma
- Says HIV is no longer a death sentence
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending HIV-related stigma and discrimination, urging religious leaders to leverage their platforms to promote awareness, encourage voluntary testing, and challenge discrimination against people living with HIV.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Dr Folakemi Animashaun, Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, made the appeal during a sensitisation workshop on HIV prevention and stigma for religious leaders in Lagos.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Senate To Enact Stiffer Penalties For Artificial Fruit Ripening With Chemicals
- Augustine University Holds 2025/2026 Students’ Orientation Programme
- Akinloye Reaffirms Grassroots Development Commitment as Eredo LCDA Hosts 2026 Budget Forum
The annual event is part of the Lagos State Government’s strategic efforts to improve HIV management and control. It brought together influential religious leaders from all five divisions of the state to strengthen faith-based collaboration in advancing HIV prevention, treatment literacy, and stigma reduction within communities.
In her keynote address, Animashaun called for collective responsibility in eradicating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. She noted that despite more than four decades of global response to the epidemic, complacency has undermined efforts.
“HIV has been with us for nearly 40 years, yet we have allowed complacency to weaken our collective response. The global focus on COVID-19 made many believe that HIV is no longer a major threat. While the world developed a COVID-19 vaccine in record time, we are still waiting for an HIV vaccine. But the real challenge is not the absence of a vaccine; it is the way we treat those living with HIV,” she stated.
Animashaun emphasised that HIV is no longer a death sentence, highlighting medical advancements that allow people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives. However, she lamented that social stigma and discrimination continue to inflict deep psychological suffering, sometimes with fatal consequences.
