By Sandra Kenneth
The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency has raised concerns that persistent stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence (GBV), and the denial of essential medical services pose significant threats to HIV prevention and control efforts across the state.
To address these challenges, the agency called for reinforced legal and rights-protection frameworks to safeguard both people living with HIV and survivors of gender-based violence.
Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day Legal and Rights Protection Training held at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, emphasized the critical need for a unified response.
Animashaun stated that the intersection of GBV and HIV-related stigma requires structured collaboration among government bodies, law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
She noted that while specialized institutions exist within Lagos State to handle domestic and sexual violence, LSACA maintains a clear mandate to step in whenever GBV or rights violations intersect with HIV status.
“Experiences of discrimination, abuse, denial of services, and other rights violations could discourage people from seeking HIV testing, treatment, care, and support, thereby affecting efforts to achieve better HIV outcomes,” Animashaun said.
She urged stakeholders to bridge the gap between healthcare services and social protection systems to ensure affected individuals receive immediate legal, medical, and psychosocial support. Additionally, she highlighted the need for improved case documentation and tracking mechanisms to prevent vulnerable patients from falling through systemic cracks.
Echoing these concerns, training facilitator Ochibili Chioma highlighted confidentiality as a cornerstone of victim and patient care. Chioma advised service providers that strict confidentiality is essential to building trust, protecting patient dignity, and encouraging impacted individuals to seek help.
The two-day workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of frontline workers, focal persons, and linkage officers to identify rights violations, streamline referral systems, and ensure timely access to justice and healthcare support.
