LEGISLATURE

 A'IBOM ASSEMBLY PASSES HIV/AIDS ANTI - STIGMA BILL


By Julius Nsikak

Speaker Otong


During a recent legislative session of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, a landmark bill prohibiting stigma and discrimination against individuals living with HIV/AIDS gained passage into law.


The "Bill for a Law to Prohibit Stigmatisation and Discrimination Against People Living with HIV/AIDS, Counselling and Testing and for Other Matters Connected Therewith" was passed following the adoption of the report by the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Comrade Moses Essien, who also represents  Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the  eighth Assembly.


Hon. Essien submitting Health committee's report


The bill, which had undergone a second reading, was referred to the Committee on Health for thorough scrutiny. 


Presenting his report, the Committee Chairman, Essien, revealed that a public hearing was held, Wednesday, 4 September 2024, gathering inputs from stakeholders and the public.


The committee received written memoranda and oral submissions from the Commissioner for Health, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Policy Alert, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organisations, the Association of Nigeria Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), the Nigeria Labour Congress


House Leader, Johnny

(NLC), and the Personal Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, among others.


According to the committee's submission, the bill aims to safeguard the constitutional rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS by prohibiting all forms of discrimination in employment, healthcare, education, and other areas.


The bill will also promote early detection and treatment of the virus, sensitises the public against discriminating against those living with HIV/AIDS and as well collaborate  with global efforts to arrest the epidemic by 2030.


The bill also seeks to enhance enlightenment efforts by the state government on HIV/AIDS, improve access to healthcare, and penalise individuals or groups spreading false information about HIV/AIDS cures to exploit vulnerable individuals.


The House adopted the committee of the Whole's report and thereafter passed the HIV/AIDS Anti-Stigma Discrimination Bill through a motion by the House Leader, Hon. Sunday Johnny seconded by his deputy, Rt. Hon.  Otobong Bob.



Presiding over the legislative session, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, instructed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to communicate the resolution to the Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for assent.

Deputy Leader, Barr. Bob





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