Osun State Government has warned members of the public stigmatizing persons living with HIV/AIDS to desist from such act or face jail term.
A public service announcement signed by the Executive Secretary, Osun State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Adeniyi Oginni on Sunday disclosed that stigmatizing persons living with HIV/AIDS has created disruption and trauma in many families in the state.
He warned company owners and members of the public to stop violating the State HIV Anti-discrimation Law which attract fines or imprisonment or both, saying government would not hesitate to erring individuals or group from facing the wrath of law.
It reads, “In recent times, there has been increasing reports of stigmatisation of people living with HIV in our state, most especially women and children.
“This has led to loss of job, disruption of family and extreme emotional trauma in the survivors thereby posing serious threats to public health.
“Consequently, it has become imperative to inform the general public that stigmatisation of people living with HIV is an offence by the provisions of the Osun State HIV Anti-Discrimination Law, 2021.
“Any person or institution found guilty of stigmatising or discriminating against people living with HIV either by denying them job or means of livelihood, or disclosing their status to other persons without their consent is liable to penalties which range from payment of fines to imprisonment without option of fine or both.
“The general public is hereby warned against violation of this law as the Gender and Human Rights Response Team in the state will see to the prosecution of offenders in order to safeguard the health of every resident of the state. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed”.
