Lagos, Nigeria — In a renewed effort to promote inclusive healthcare and ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Lagos State Government has intensified its awareness and prevention campaign by organizing a specialized sensitization programme for persons with hearing and visual impairments.
The initiative, led by the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), brought together members of the disability community, healthcare professionals, advocates, and stakeholders at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) for a comprehensive engagement focused on HIV prevention, stigma reduction, and equitable access to healthcare services.
The programme forms part of the state government’s broader commitment to creating an inclusive healthcare system where every resident, regardless of physical ability, can access vital health information and services without discrimination.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, emphasized that the sensitization programme reflects the government’s determination to address healthcare inequalities and ensure that persons with disabilities are fully integrated into HIV prevention and response strategies.
According to her, while significant progress has been made in the fight against HIV in Lagos State, persons with disabilities remain among the most vulnerable groups due to persistent barriers that limit access to healthcare information and services.
Breaking Barriers to Healthcare Access
Animashaun noted that individuals living with hearing and visual impairments often encounter unique challenges when seeking healthcare, ranging from communication difficulties and inadequate disability-friendly services to social exclusion, stigma, and discrimination.
These challenges, she explained, can significantly affect their ability to access HIV prevention programmes, testing services, treatment, counseling, and other critical healthcare interventions.
“Ensuring equitable healthcare access is not just a public health priority but a matter of social justice. Every resident deserves access to accurate health information and quality healthcare services, regardless of their physical condition,” she stated.
She added that the sensitization programme was specifically designed to bridge existing information gaps by providing participants with accurate and accessible knowledge on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care, and support services.
Inclusive Approach to Ending HIV
As Lagos State continues to pursue its goal of eliminating HIV as a public health threat, Animashaun stressed the importance of adopting an inclusive approach that addresses the specific needs of marginalized groups.
“As Lagos continues its efforts to end HIV as a public health threat, it is important that we address the specific challenges faced by persons with disabilities and ensure that no one is left behind,” she said.
She further highlighted that meaningful inclusion requires active engagement with affected communities to understand their realities and incorporate their perspectives into policy development and healthcare programming.
Practical Sessions on HIV Prevention
The sensitization exercise featured a series of interactive sessions and expert presentations covering key areas of HIV prevention and care.
Participants received updates on the current HIV situation in Lagos State, including ongoing efforts to reduce infection rates and improve access to treatment services.
Healthcare professionals also educated attendees on effective HIV prevention strategies, the dangers of stigma and discrimination, the impact of gender-based violence, and the rights of persons with disabilities to receive healthcare services without prejudice or exclusion.
In addition to theoretical discussions, participants were taken through practical demonstrations on HIV self-testing procedures and the correct use of condoms as preventive measures.
Facilitators also explained referral pathways available to individuals seeking medical assistance, counseling, treatment, and other support services, ensuring that participants left with practical knowledge they could apply within their communities.
Voices That Matter
Animashaun encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions and share their lived experiences, stressing that their contributions are essential to improving healthcare delivery and strengthening HIV response mechanisms in the state.
“Your voices, experiences, and perspectives are invaluable in helping us build a more inclusive and responsive HIV response in Lagos State,” she told participants.
She reaffirmed LSACA’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with disability-focused organizations, healthcare institutions, development partners, and community groups to expand access to HIV-related services across the state.
Participants Commend Government Initiative
The programme was warmly received by participants, many of whom described it as a significant step toward addressing the healthcare needs of persons with disabilities.
One of the participants, Mr. Kingsley Njoku, praised the Lagos State Government for recognizing and responding to the unique challenges faced by members of the disability community.
According to him, awareness campaigns and healthcare interventions must be designed to include everyone, especially vulnerable groups who are often overlooked in public health programmes.
“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,” he said.
Njoku’s remarks echoed the sentiments of many participants who called for sustained engagement, regular awareness programmes, and improved accessibility to healthcare facilities and information.
Strengthening Inclusion and Fighting Stigma
The sensitization programme aligns with LSACA’s broader strategy to reduce HIV-related stigma, expand public awareness, and ensure that every Lagos resident has access to the healthcare services and information necessary for a healthy and productive life.
Public health experts have consistently identified stigma and discrimination as major obstacles to HIV prevention and treatment, often discouraging individuals from seeking testing, treatment, and support services.
For persons with disabilities, these challenges can be compounded by physical, social, and communication barriers, making targeted interventions such as the LSACA initiative increasingly important.
As Lagos continues to strengthen its public health response, stakeholders believe that inclusive programmes like this will play a crucial role in ensuring that healthcare services are accessible to all residents, regardless of their physical abilities.
The event concluded with renewed calls for collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers, disability advocates, and community organizations to build a more inclusive healthcare system and accelerate progress toward ending HIV-related stigma and new infections across Lagos State.
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