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Although Nigeria's prevalence rate is lower than those of neighbouring countries, it has the second highest number of HIV-positive adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Out of a population of 124 million, there are an estimated 3.1 million living with HIV/AIDS (5.4% of adults) and more than a million children orphaned by AIDS. The rapid spread of the epidemic has been fuelled by high mobility, the trafficking of young girls, marginalization of women, poverty, social and economic inequality, and certain socio-cultural practices. There is still considerable stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. They are frequently excluded from families and communities, and many have to travel long distances to access the few non-stigmatizing, quality services that exist. Makurdi, capital of Benue State, has the second-highest prevalence rate of 9.7 percent of the city’s population, Thus, 1 out of every 10 people in the city had the disease at the time of the 2003 sentinel survey of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja.
Despite an increase in major HIV/AIDS initiatives at the national level, including access to anti-retroviral drugs and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, many significant programming and technical support gaps remain in community responses to HIV/AIDS The uncoordinated governance structures in Makurdi is making it difficult for the authorities to check the rapid spread of the disease.
The desire to make Makurdi a model for other cities in the north central zone of Nigeria necessitated a city consultation on HIV/AIDS and local governance which involved all stakeholders involved in AIDS management, and reversing the spread of the disease in the city by the year 2015. Two mini consultations (a reconnaissance survey and a city profile) were held.
The City Profile found that the political will to take up the fight against the disease exists in all tiers of government. It also found a strong link between poverty levels and the spread of the disease, thus making it important that government step up its poverty alleviation drive to help check the spread of HIV/AIDS, and at the same raise awareness, improve care and support, impact mitigation, and infection prevention. After a three-day city consultation, the Makurdi Board on HIV/AIDS was inaugurated to implement the action plan.
In conclusion The City Consultation Programme was seen as a huge success and was well received by the stakeholders. They said it has the potential to integrate the efforts of on-going AIDS intervention programmes in the city, raising the likelihood of achieving the UN Millennium Development Goal on the disease. Follow-up activities for Markudi include fund raising events, a new action plan, and continual proactive engagement with members of the new board. |