Sunday, March 2, 2008
Another one bites the dust...
A disease with no bias. That's what people should realise about AIDS. Another 'big man' just died in Abuja. They say it was a stroke; the open secret being it was AIDS. This guy was a well known womaniser but as with our people, probably believed it could not happen to him. AIDS is real and people are dying from it. The problem is that the cause of death is always said to be diabetes, hypertension or stroke. I heard a statistic that shocked me. In Kano City Hospital, four out of every ten blood samples taken by the Haematology Dept. comes back HIV+. Scary!!! It is said that in the mid-eighties, when the number of HIV+ individuals started being kept, the rate of infection was highest in Calabar, Benue, Port Harcourt and Lagos largely because of the liberal and promiscious sex scene (yeah, yeah, I know some readers will protest this statement but it is true). However, fastforward to 20 years later, the rate of infection is highest in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Sokoto and Maiduguri, mainly because of polygamy and divorce (Ha, Ha. Gotcha!! How come those same readers did not instinctively jump to protest this statement?). This is a disease that makes no distinction and usually hits hardest the 18 to 49 age group. What this means is that the most productive in our society will start being wiped out rapidly. Not because the disease is not manageable but because of the stigma attached that makes people not seek medication early because they are in denial. My husband, who works for an international NGO, was in Uganda two years ago. He was saddened by what he saw in several villages they toured. There were very young children and pre-teens being raised by very old women. It seemed as if the adult men and women and also the old men did not exist. It was explained to them that it was due to the scourge of AIDS. This picture is what I fear for Nigeria.
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18 comments:
Will definitely be back. Thanx for stopping by my page...
Oh my God! First time here...and a firsssssssssstyyyyyyy toooo! Yeepiiii!!!
men you seem to be one strong babe..really motivated. the HIV stuff is really dire but i beleive the more educated our people get the higher the chance of tackling the stigma..thanks for stopping at my blog
HIV yes it is so true and it is a really sad tale too. I work for an adult health committe in london and the statistics are outrageous .People of African ethnicity account for the highest proportion of carriers in recent years. Resultant effect of stigma assocciated with it and worsestill is they are not even seeking medical help. This is uk imagine what is yhappening back home . i worry for the future generation. ireally do.
God will save us! i just pray the dreaded disease does not finally wipe out our race.
HIV statistics should be handled with absolute care, it is my belief that wrong information passed or spread is more dangerous than the disease itself.
The issue of HIV is never given priority in naija despite the huge sums of money spent both at the national and state levels and with the introduction of the NACA and SACA.
Awareness alone can not get rid of HIV in our society, however quick access to medical care, reducing the level of poverty should be the main focus of our government, then coupled with strong grass root awareness HIV will come to past, if not, so much will be spent and the people will continue dying every minute.
I have been opportuned to come in contact with an AIDS victim who was my cousin (Allah ya gafarta masa)i saw him die in pain and agony, his memories are still fresh in my mind.
Silent Screams - you are doing a great job, especially after going through your profile, however, the way you castigate your alma mater worries me (ina ruwana ne), however, I wish you the best of all lucks and happy stay in Abuja the seat of power.
Dont forget to make a change.
HIV/AIDS is a big developmental problem for third world/developing countries.But my problem with the whole propaganda is the `NGOnisation´ where people make money out of the misery of Africans suffering from the disease.
I think it's rather unfortunate that people would still rather 'save face' than 'save their own life', or at least extend their life span...
Nice blog. Thanks for stopping by mine
nicely written.
i agree largely with mustapha.
poverty and inadequate medical care are def huge factors.
I just read ur profile and the stuff u sadi about yourself ...i feel like i know u and i identify with u.I will surely be back....Thanx for dropping by my blog.
i love ur profile....nicely written
Nice blog.I invite everyone to check out my blog and see Maryam Hiyana sex scandal.
The fact that HIV still carries so much stigma is very sad and perhaps the main reason why its spreading drastically. This causes so many infected ppl. to live in denial instead of taking drugs. we will all have to educate our children,neighbours, friends, church/mosque members,anything at all to help stop the spread.
theres more than enough awareness going on...i think its ignorance, the smug shrug of shoulders and declaration of 'cant touch me' syndrome going round, cos most educated and opportuned ones who are more aware are the ones getting infected...
look at the young girls around...
its pathetic and i totally agree with for the love of me, it the stigma can be tackled then we'll come a long way in curbing the spread...
People are dying daily from this scourge...i wonder why some people cant face up to the truth-AIDS IS REAL!!!
I wish people will stop believing that they are invincible....
:(
I think the solution to ppl not dying out would be for others to stop judging and pointing fingers...rather we need to help and encourage...
you can start by not pointing out the rich man who died of it cos it will only stop others from coming out...afterall you will only pont at them too...
I think i know who you are referring to here...And i will say that in this case, it was a terminal illness - not a stroke or AIDS...I am very close to the family and was part of the treatments here and abroad...
But AIDS is real and does indeed exist here
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