HIV/AIDS: Woman admits being positive
From ABBA ABUBAKAR KABARA GUSAU
Contrary to the fear by majority of Aids victims to disclose their condition for fear of stigma and public ridicule, a woman in Zamfara state, Hajiya Asma’u Muhammad Ibrahim, has taken up the courage to publicly declare that she and her husband, though tested positive, are living happily like any other person in the society.
Hajiya Asma’u, told the press that she and her husband have lived in this condition for the past seven years and they have so far had four issues out of which three were lost to Aids while one is still living very healthy as he has tested negative.
The lady who is now the co-odinator of Trust Support Association (TSA), a Non-Governmental Organization in the state, is set to educate and sensitise the public on the reality of the disease and ways to check against its spread.
Hajiya Asma’u now embarks on massive campaign across the state in an effort to check against the Aids menace.
She said, because the disease is easily contracted through many ways therefore, there is need to strengthen efforts on public enlightenment so as to help people know how to protect themselves from contracting the disease.
She also explained that there is need for government to commit more resources towards fighting the spread of the disease in the society.
The co-ordinator further pointed out that fortunately, there are drugs available for victims distributed free by some medical institution in an effort to assist victims.
Hajiya Asmau who looks physically healthy and fit, said she has been taking her drugs regularly and as a result, “I feel very fit and healthy like any normal person, and I go about my business and participate on any normal activity very well”.
Recently, her organization in conjunction with Zamfara State Action Committee on Aids (ZAMSACA) has distributed primary school learning materials worth over N300, 000 to about 100 pupils who come from the less privileged families and those whose parents died of Aids.
Distributing the material, Hajiya Asma’u Muhammad explained that the humanitarian assistance was in view of the fact that the children need to be assisted to cushion the effects of their problem as orphans who lost their parents to Aids.
She called on governments, private organizations, individuals and every member of the society to engage in crusade against the deadly disease, through contribution in kind or cash.
Those present at the distribution function include representative of the Honourable Commissioner for Children and Women Afairs, Hajiya Amina Modibo, and Alhaji Aliyu Tukur (ES) who represented the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi.