The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has pledged to fast-track the amendment of the state’s Anti-HIV/AIDS Stigma Law, with lawmakers promising stronger legal protection for people living with HIV against discrimination and other forms of stigma.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Larry Ven-Bawa, gave the assurance on Friday when he received members of the Nasarawa State Gender and Human Rights Technical Working Group of the Nasarawa State Agency for the Control of AIDS (NASACA) in Lafia.
Ven-Bawa said the Assembly would give the proposed Executive Bill the necessary attention once formally presented before the lawmakers.
He said the review of the existing law had become necessary to address emerging challenges confronting the state’s HIV/AIDS response and strengthen legal safeguards for people living with the virus.
The lawmaker also pledged the Assembly’s support for NASACA, including efforts to secure increased funding for the agency to enable it to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
“We will support and lobby for more funding to enable the agency to discharge its responsibilities effectively,” Ven-Bawa said.
The proposed amendment is expected to strengthen protections for people living with HIV against stigmatisation and discrimination in workplaces and communities, while also reinforcing their right to access healthcare.
The Executive Director of NASACA, Ruth Bello, who led the delegation to the Assembly, said the agency was seeking legislative backing for the proposed amendments ahead of the bill’s formal presentation and consideration.
Bello said the proposed legislation would introduce measures aimed at strengthening the protection of people living with HIV and addressing gaps in the existing legal framework.
According to her, the amendment would provide stronger protection against discrimination and safeguard the rights of people living with HIV to healthcare.
She also said the proposed legislation contained provisions aimed at imposing stiffer punishment on offenders convicted of defiling minors and rape, describing the measures as necessary deterrents.
Another provision proposed by the agency, Bello said, is for couples to undergo HIV testing three months before marriage.
The NASACA boss further appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to make the agency solely responsible for the procurement and distribution of HIV prevention commodities across the state.
She also urged non-governmental organisations operating HIV-related programmes in the state to channel their support through NASACA to improve coordination and avoid duplication of interventions.
Bello commended the Assembly for its cooperation with the agency and appealed to lawmakers to sustain their support for the state’s HIV/AIDS response.
The proposed amendment comes amid continuing efforts to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for HIV prevention, treatment and protection of people living with the virus.
If passed, the amended law could provide Nasarawa State with a stronger legal mechanism for addressing HIV-related discrimination while improving the protection of vulnerable groups and supporting the state’s broader public health response.
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