By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

THE Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, NEPWHAN has urged government at all levels to increase funding of HIV treatment, care and support towards alleviating the plight of Persons Living with HIV in the country.

National  Coordinator, NEPWHAN, Mr.Ibrahim Umoru, who made the call during the 2nd World AIDS Day Novelty Match organised by Friends Africa, in Lagos, at the Campos Mini Staduim, decried the dwindling fortunes of HIV response in the country.

Umoru who was unhappy with the  high dependence on foreign grants and the level of increasing stigmatisation and discrimination against PLWHA, wondered: “What if these donors withdraw their support and grants? What happens to people like me and my peers? Should we go and die? No we shouldn’t.

“Government should support us by funding our drugs and treatment in health facilities. It would not be fair when these foreign organisations withdraw their grants. We will have nothing to fall back on,” he said. On discrimination and stigmatisation of PLWHA, Umoru said : “When you deny someone his means of livelihood invariably you want the person to die. My heart bleeds for the level of stigma and discrimination against PLWHA.”

Dr. Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba, Founder, Friends Africa, observed that the show of love and acceptance was necessary to guarantee longevity for  PLWHA.

“We decided to mark this year’s event again with a football match between Nigerian celebrities and ex- Super Eagles’ players. These are role models that carry louder voices in reaching out to Nigerians and saying no to discrimination and stigmatization.