Stigmatize persons living with HIV and face the wrath of the law —Osun gov’t

Osun State Government has decried the rate at which people are stigmatizing those living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

In an announcement signed by Dr. Adeniyi Oginni, the Eecutive Secretary, Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS, the state expressed its disappointment in the act.

Oginni stated that members of the public are violating the State HIV Anti-discrimation Law if they stigmatize persons – whether young or old – with HIV/AIDS.

He added that violation of these rules attracts punishments such as jail terms, fines, or both.

He warned the general public to refrain from any form of discrimination, as anybody found guilty of this act will have to face the wrath of Gender and Human Rights Response Team of Osun State.

The announcement reads “In recent times, there has been increasing reports of stigmatization of people living with HIV in our state, most especially women and children.

“This has led to loss of job, disruption of family and extreme emotional trauma in the survivors thereby posing serious threats to public health.

“Consequently, it has become imperative to inform the general public that stigmatisation of people living with HIV is an offence by the provisions of the Osun State HIV Anti-Discrimination Law, 2021.

“Any person or institution found guilty of stigmatising or discriminating against people living with HIV either by denying them job or means of livelihood, or disclosing their status to other persons without their consent is liable to penalties which range from payment of fines to imprisonment without option of fine or both.

“The general public is hereby warned against violation of this law as the Gender and Human Rights Response Team in the state will see to the prosecution of offenders in order to safeguard the health of every resident of the state. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed”.