Nigerian Pupils Speak Ahead 2024 World AIDS Day

TAIWO ADELU

Pupils of Sunshine Nursery and Primary School in Ile-Ife, Osun State have called for action to protect the rights of children living with HIV/AIDS.

The pupils made this call on Monday while joining the international community to commemorate World AIDS Day.

World AIDS Day, which is marked on 1 December annually, is a global health day dedicated to raising awareness of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the impact of the HIV epidemic. human immunodeficiency (HIV).

This year’s theme, “Take the path of rights, or my health, my right’, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all people, including children, have access to quality education, health care and protection from harm.

In a presentation organized at the school premises and attended by journalists, students, led by their representatives Darasimi Oyetunji-Alemede, chairman of the school board; Mengou Mesi, the director, and Adebusuyi Pearl, the director, condemned the stigma, discrimination and limited access to essential services children living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

To address these challenges, they urged leaders and policymakers to provide free and quality antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all children living with HIV/AIDS, ensure that all schools are safe and inclusive for the children living with HIV/AIDS and support affected families. from HIV/AIDS with economic empowerment programs.

The students also called on their peers to learn about HIV/AIDS, denounce stigma and discrimination, and support children living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Earlier in her keynote address themed “Taking the Path of Rights” which highlighted the rights of the Nigerian child, the school’s principal, Dr. Adebisi Anyadike, stressed the need to protect children’s rights in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

She highlighted the school’s activities for this year’s activities which, she stressed, are focused on raising awareness about the disease and supporting HIV-positive children in the community.

“In line with this year’s global theme of participating in rights, we are focusing on helping children living with HIV.

“As an institution that cares for children, we believe that every child living with HIV/AIDS has the full right and access under the law to be protected and to receive the care and treatment they deserve. This is the basis of our campaigns and support program.

“We have discovered that over 80 children are being treated for the disease at the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Complex here in Ile-Ife and we plan to support at least 30 out of 50 of them identified as being from poor households.

“During this week, our students have been involved in a variety of outreach activities that began last Friday, including the sale of red ribbons to the general public to raise funds to purchase items for these children. The event included a meeting with the Chairman of the State Legislature Committee on Health and an interview this Tuesday to get an overview of what is being done to support children in this difficult situation.