HIV challenges in Nigeria

Members of an HIV support group [CAFOD]

Jane Lennon, from CAFOD's HIV team, was struck by the challenges faced by those living with HIV in Nigeria's rural areas - but also heartened by the support they receive

As I sat under a huge tree in rural Nigeria, surrounded by sleepy dogs and wandering chickens, I felt a long way from home.

I was visiting a village called Namu, to see our partner and learn more about its work with the local community.

Nigeria ranks 158 out of 177 in the UN’s Human Development Index, reflecting the fact that the country remains, despite the valuable presence of oil, very poor.

Many Nigerians still don’t have access to adequate services that ensure basic needs in areas such as health, water and sanitation and education.

CAFOD’s main focus is primary healthcare, with the aim that an increased number of people living in rural areas will be able to access care which is affordable and high quality.

The project in Namu is a good example of this - as it has the Virgilius Memorial Catholic rural health centre, which also doubles as a small rural hospital for basic procedures.

This diocesan-run clinic is the only one in the region, serving 23,000 people, as well as doing outreach health care work in a two-hour radius – and all this with only one doctor!

Access to treatment

In a country with more than three million people living with HIV, the services provided at this clinic include free HIV testing and counselling, treatment of HIV-related infections, and prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child.

Given that the Nigerian government now provides free ARV drugs to manage HIV, shouldn’t this mean that the problem of HIV is under control? Unfortunately not.

After visiting the clinic, we met with a support group of HIV positive people. We all sat on low wooden benches under the tree, as members of the group introduced themselves and spoke of some of the challenges they still face.

Although the government provides free ARVs, the nearest place to get the drugs is in Jos - more than three hours drive away.

Given that most people in this farming community do not have transport and cannot afford regular trips, this makes it difficult to get a regular supply of ARV drugs.

Social stigma persists

I was also shocked – maybe naively – to hear about the high levels of stigma and lack of awareness around HIV in this
community.

Although the group we met with were happy to talk openly about being HIV positive, they would not want to stand up publicly in front of others in their community.

This was a reminder to myself – who spends all day at work thinking or talking about HIV in some way – that this remains a huge challenge in many countries where CAFOD works.

The Sisters and the health staff are working to decrease stigma by involving the local community in their work, but it is a slow process.

The lack of water in this region of Nigeria is also a huge problem for everyone. The women get up daily at 4am just to make the trip to the well or dried up river so they can get enough water for the day’s activities.

They have to queue hours for this – sometimes going the night before to sleep there. They acknowledge the concerns for their personal safety, and the increased risk to HIV because of fear of attack.

However they simply saw no alternative if they wanted to get water.

Working together

Despite all these challenges, the people we met with also spoke of the benefits of being part of this support group.

They meet together once a month and discuss issues ranging from nutrition, to home-based care support, to advice on simple businesses. They understand best their own concerns and so work together to find the answers.

One of the main benefits that people felt in joining the group was that it made ARV treatment a little more accessible. There are huge challenges, but at least it is no longer felt to be so "hopeless".

One woman spoke of how she was at "death’s door" before she was started on ARV drugs thanks to the project.

She said: "Now you can see me alive. I have gained my energy and I am back to my normal life.” She ended with a beautiful smile on her face expressing how wonderful the sisters had been to her.

I left Namu with not only a better understanding of this project – but also a small insight into the daily challenges that people in communities such as this face.

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