Spread HIV in Ondo, Go to Jail for 10 Years, Govt Warns
The Ondo State Government has announced the commencement of the implementation of its HIV anti-stigma law which prescribed a 10-year jail term, fine of N500,000 or both for any person who by whatever means transmits HIV to another person.
Giving details of the law which was signed last year, the Secretary to
the State Government (SSG) and Chairman of the state Agency for the
Control of AIDS, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, stated that the stigmatisation
and discrimination discourages individuals infected with and affected
by HIV from accessing health and social services, hence, the law
stipulates further that anybody who discriminates against people living
with HIV commits an offence and is liable to fine of N100,000 or
imprisonment of six months or both.
Speaking in Akure yesterday, while delivering a keynote address at a
sensitisation programme to facilitate and ensure the enforcement of a
law for the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, Adelola said most
times, the rights of people living with HIV are violated, causing them
to suffer both the burden of the disease and the consequential loss of
other rights.
He stated that stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with
the virus may obstruct their access to treatment and may affect their
employment, housing and other rights which he said adversely affect the
vulnerability of others to be infected.
Also speaking on the law, the state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said Ondo is the first state in the federation to have a law which addresses many aspect of HIV response to law and will help promote public awareness about causes, modes of transmission, consequences, means of prevention and control of HIV transmission, through a comprehensive education and information campaign.
Also speaking on the law, the state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said Ondo is the first state in the federation to have a law which addresses many aspect of HIV response to law and will help promote public awareness about causes, modes of transmission, consequences, means of prevention and control of HIV transmission, through a comprehensive education and information campaign.
He added that the law is also expected to extend to every person
infected with HIV full protection of his human rights and civil
liberties, positively address and seek to eradicate conditions that
aggravate the spread of HIV infection, including but not limited to
poverty, marginalisation, prostitution, drug abuse and ignorance.
It will also promote utmost safety and universal precautions in
practices and procedures that carry the risk of HIV transmission.
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