HIV-positive peer educator leads anti-stigma campaign in FCT community

By Katsinatimes 

An HIV-positive peer educator in Pigba-Kasa community, Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called for intensified efforts to tackle HIV-related stigma, saying discrimination continues to discourage many people from accessing testing and treatment services.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, Mr Bulus Yohanna said he decided to publicly disclose his HIV status to encourage others to seek early diagnosis and treatment rather than suffer in silence.

Yohanna, who now serves as a peer educator in the hard-to-reach community, said living with HIV is no longer a death sentence if diagnosed early and properly managed.

"When I discovered that I was HIV positive, I had two choices. I could hide because of stigma or use my experience to help others. I chose the second option because I realised many people were suffering in silence," he said.

He explained that his work involves counselling individuals and families on HIV prevention, treatment adherence and the importance of knowing their HIV status.

Yohanna said he also educates pregnant women on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, encouraging them to register early for antenatal care, undergo HIV testing and commence treatment where necessary.

According to him, available medications can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting the virus from mother to child when taken as prescribed.

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He said he had established a support group for people living with HIV in the community, providing members with a platform to share experiences, encourage one another and address challenges associated with the condition.

The peer educator noted that the initiative had helped many people overcome depression, remain committed to treatment and regain confidence to participate actively in community life.

Yohanna said attitudes towards people living with HIV had gradually improved in Pigba-Kasa, with more residents now willing to undergo HIV testing and seek medical care without fear of discrimination.

He, however, stressed that stigma remained one of the major obstacles to ending the HIV epidemic, particularly in rural and underserved communities where misinformation persists.

He called on government, healthcare workers, traditional leaders and development partners to strengthen awareness campaigns, expand peer education programmes and improve access to HIV testing, counselling and treatment services.

According to him, eliminating HIV-related stigma is as important as providing medication because fear of discrimination continues to prevent many people from seeking life-saving care.

"Every time someone gets tested because they heard my story, I feel encouraged. If my experience can help another person live without fear, then sharing it is worthwhile," he said.

(NAN)