Posted by Obiajulu Princess Ugwu, the deputy chief whip of the Enugu State House of Assembly, has urged those who are HIV/AIDS positive to keep taking their medicine and treatment seriously.
She said that by doing this, they will be able to control the illness and continue to have healthy lives.
In a statement issued on Friday in honor of the 2023 World AIDS Day in Enugu, the deputy chief whip stated as much.
“Today, December 1, 2023, is a special day that we will remember and associate with our parents, siblings, and sisters who are living with HIV/AIDS in a very meaningful way.
The UN has set aside this day to challenge and uplift those who are afflicted with the illness to persevere in their daily fight to survive, despite the unbearable anguish, discomfort, and difficulties.
According to a recent research released in 2023, there are 3,736 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Enugu State, and the prevalence of HIV infection is 1.9%.
“It is encouraging to see that the Enugu State Government is making progress in reducing the prevalence rate of the virus, which was 5.1% in 2010 and 4.9% in 2017,” the speaker remarked.
Nonetheless, the member stated that the government will not give up on Enugu’s AIDS-free status, offering all the resources, financing, and supplies required to get there as quickly as possible.
If necessary, Ugwu intimated that the present Assembly would not think twice about passing legislation to shield people living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination and stigma.
“I advise others to get tested to find out their HIV status in order to prevent catching the disease, even as I encourage those who are afflicted to go to hospitals and take their anti-retroviral medications.
“By working together, we can complete this battle; we will keep saving lives and make sure that the HIV/AIDS pandemic never goes back to its early stages,” Ugwu continued.