Lagos State government, through the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive healthcare delivery with the sensitization of persons with hearing and visual impairments on HIV and AIDS prevention and stigma reduction.

The programme, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), brought together members of the hearing and visually impaired community, stakeholders, and advocates to enhance awareness on HIV prevention, promote disability-inclusive healthcare services, and address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing HIV-related information and support.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, stated that the initiative reflects the Lagos State government’s determination to ensure that every resident, regardless of ability or disability, has equal access to quality healthcare services and accurate health information.

She noted that as Lagos continues its efforts to end HIV as a public health threat, it is essential to address the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities, including communication barriers, limited access to disability-friendly healthcare facilities, stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion.

According to Animashaun, the sensitization programme was designed to empower participants with knowledge on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care, while also creating awareness about their rights to access healthcare services without discrimination.

She explained that the programme featured sessions on the current HIV situation in Lagos State, basic facts about HIV, stigma and discrimination, gender-based violence, and the rights of persons with disabilities in accessing HIV-related services. Participants were also exposed to practical demonstrations on HIV self-testing and condom use, as well as information on referral pathways for accessing healthcare and support services.

Animashaun encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions and share their experiences, stressing that their perspectives are vital to building a more inclusive and responsive HIV response 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 said.

The LSACA Chief Executive Officer reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to promoting equitable access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care, and support services for all residents. She added that the agency will continue to strengthen partnerships and advocate for disability-inclusive healthcare services to ensure that no one is left behind.

She further urged participants to become ambassadors of HIV prevention, stigma reduction, and inclusion within their communities, emphasizing that collective action is essential to creating a society where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and given equal opportunities to access healthcare services.

Speaking during an interview at the event, a  participant, Mr. Kingsley Njoku described the programme as timely and impactful, emphasizing the importance of including persons with disabilities in government initiatives.

“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, just as they have done today,” he said.

Njoku expressed appreciation to LSACA for creating a platform that ensures persons with disabilities are not left behind in the state’s HIV response and called for sustained engagement to improve access to health information and services for the disability community.

The sensitization programme however  forms part of LSACA’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusion, reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and ensure that all residents of Lagos State have access to the information and services needed to live healthy and productive lives.