LASG intensifies HIV awareness campaign for PWDs

In a bid for more inclusive healthcare services, the Lagos State Government organised a specialised HIV and AIDS sensitisation programme for persons with hearing and visual impairments as part of its campaign to eliminate barriers to healthcare access.

The programme, organised by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, brought together members of the disability community, healthcare stakeholders and advocates at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote HIV prevention, reduce stigma and improve access to HIV-related information and services.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr Folakemi Animashaun, said the initiative underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that all residents, regardless of disability status, have equal access to quality healthcare and life-saving health information.

“As Lagos continues its efforts to end HIV as a public health threat, it is important that we address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities,” she said.

According to Animashaun, those challenges included communication barriers, limited access to disability-friendly healthcare facilities, stigma, discrimination and social exclusion, all of which could hinder access to HIV prevention and treatment services.

She explained that the sensitisation programme was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge on HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care, while also reinforcing their right to access healthcare services without discrimination.

“Our goal is to ensure that no one is left behind in the HIV response.

“Your voices, experiences and perspectives are invaluable in helping us build a more inclusive and responsive HIV response in Lagos State,” she said.

The event featured sessions on the HIV situation in Lagos, stigma and discrimination, gender-based violence and the rights of persons with disabilities.

Participants also received practical demonstrations on HIV self-testing and condom use, alongside information on available referral pathways for healthcare and support services.

Animashaun reaffirmed LSACA’s commitment to expanding access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support services, adding that the agency would continue to strengthen partnerships aimed at promoting disability-inclusive healthcare across the state.

She also urged participants to serve as advocates for HIV prevention and inclusion within their communities, stressing that collective action remained essential in the fight against discrimination and unequal access to healthcare.

One of the participants, Kingsley Njoku, described the programme as both timely and impactful, noting that persons with disabilities are often overlooked in public health interventions.

“HIV does not discriminate between persons with disabilities and those without disabilities.

“This programme is very good, and we appeal to the government to always include persons with disabilities in every programme, just as they have done today,” he said.

Njoku commended LSACA for creating a platform that recognises the needs of the disability community and called for sustained engagement to improve access to health information and services.

The sensitisation exercise forms part of broader efforts by the Lagos State Government to reduce HIV-related stigma, expand public awareness and ensure that vulnerable groups are fully integrated into healthcare programmes and services.

Health officials say inclusive interventions remain critical to achieving the state’s goal of ending HIV as a public health threat while ensuring equitable healthcare access for all residents.