Firms To Pay Penalty Over HIV Stigmatization, Discrimination

Firms and corporate bodies found to be stigmatizing and discriminating people living with HIV in their establishment stands to pay a penalty of N1,500,000.00 in Anambra state.

Similarly individuals who are also culpable to the crime of stigmatization and discrimination would be charged the sum of N500, 000.00 as penalty.

This is according to the Head, Anambra state Aids Control Agency, Mr Johnbosco Ementa who was speaking during a two day Stakeholders Meeting on the fight against HIV/AIDS in the state

“We have the 2014 HIV& AIDS Anti- discrimination Act which has not been domesticated in Anambra state and we have suggested the sum of N 1.5 million for organizations, firms and corporate bodies and the sum of N500,000 fine for individuals or imprisonment for a period not less than 1 year or to both such fine and imprisonment.

“The Act would soon be before the Anambra state House of Assembly and would go through the necessary processes so that it can become part of Anambra state law for it to have the much needed legal bite”, Mr Ementa said.

Continuing, He noted that the 2018 Nigeria AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey result indicates a national HIV prevalence in Nigeria of 1.4 percent among adults aged fifteen years to forty nine years which is the active population and stand as a guide towards creating further awareness targeting people among this age bracket in the state.

“This report has become instructive because it stands as a point of departure for us to step up the prevention activities and also know how best to check mate the spread of HIV/AIDS in Anambra state.”

Daily News Reporters