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Background Information About
NEPWHAN
HIV was given
official recognition in Nigeria when the first case was
announced in 1986. As in other parts of the world the
infection came into Nigeria with its full complement of
attending fear, stigma, discrimination and rejection. It is
therefore not surprising that PLWAs tended to hide their
status. Even when terminally ill, the cause of their illness
is rather ascribed to other infections such as Tuberculosis.
At this time, government was still in denial and there was
therefore no commitment of any sort to HIV response by
government and its arms. Responses to the epidemic in the
country were mainly by non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
including faith-based ones and international agencies that
were only operating half-heartedly due to the political
climate at the time.
So it was that the first crops of
PLWAs to be identified were gathered under NGOs and CBOs that
were caring for them. With the passage of time however, PLWAs
became more responsive to the responses to the epidemic and
sort more roles to play in ensuing activities. This led to the
formation of the earliest support groups of PLWAs in 1997/8.
The idea of a national network of PLWAs that will bring
together existing support groups was first muted in the circle
of some faith-based organizations and a few well-meaning NGOs
towards the end of 1998 and members of known support groups
were called together to form a network that same year at a
meeting held in Kaduna. This first network had Mr. John Ibekwe
as its President. Lack of capacity and basic infrastructure
however severely limited activities of this young
organization. In the year 2000, PLWAs from all over the nation
were again called together to fashion a way to move the
network forward and invigorate the executive. A new executive
was put in place at this meeting.
1st Network President: Mr. John
Ibekwe
Mission
Statement
Empowering and strengthening support
groups of PLWAs and PABAs.
Goal
To
advocate for the rights of PLWAs in Nigeria and seek to put in
place comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention and support services.
Vision
To have a country where PLWAs
are given equal rights and opportunities like every other
members of the society.
Tasks
In
terms of directional thrust, the network set itself two main
tasks:
- mobilization of PLWAs all over the country, organizing
them into support groups and empowering them to join in the
national response with the aim of reducing and eventually
eliminating further spread of the virus
- mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS on the life of
PLWAs, PABAs, orphans and other vulnerable children.
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Copyright © NEPWHAN - 2004
NEPWHAN - Network
of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria
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