HIV/AIDS are respectively known as human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency

syndrome. AIDS is commonly known as chronic immune system disease caused by the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Till date, there has been no confirmed cure or vaccine accounted for in
the World Health organization. Patients of the acquired syndrome can be provided with treatment and
are said to be able to have their health at a peak for at least six months. However, patients have no
control over the prevention of transmission of their disease which leaves Nigeria at its thinking position
on how it can preside over this contagion.

Nigeria has been reported to rank third among countries with highest burden of Human Immuno-
Deficiency Virus (HIV) infection in the world. Nevertheless, the 2019 Nigeria National HIV/AIDS Indicator
and Impact Survey found that 1.9 million people are living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria as at 2018. With
such a huge population and the pure fact that Nigeria hasn’t reached its full medical advancement in the
health sector, the stigma around people known to have HIV/AIDS has grown.

Simple facts about HIV/AIDS are that it is spread by sexual contact, by blood products (unclean
needles or unscreened blood) and by mother to baby by pregnancy, labor, or nursing. Some
symptoms are oral thrush, swelling, night sweats and pain.

There are various ways Nigeria can overcome this like public education of the masses on how to
prevent transmission and how to remove stigma which includes treating the patients better with
affirmation because there is stigma around them that causes people to harass or exclude them,
educating the public that HIV/AIDS isn’t contracted that easily from kissing, hugging or shaking
hands or sharing personal objects, food or water is important. The government could
provide medical advancement like producing qualified and trained health or community
worker at a community center or clinic to diagnose patients, by producing antiretroviral drugs to
prevent transmission, offering special care to pregnant or nursing mothers with HIV/AIDS.

There are myriad of ways Nigeria can control HIV/AIDS but as a citizen, it is also our duty to play a
part in this motive by staying safe and healthy.