Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - December 31, 2005
Elvis Basudde in Abuja
It could be a hospitalised mother with severe diarrhoea. She had been breastfeeding her baby when she tested HIV positive. With counselling, she began finding her way forward.
Again, it could be Asumpta, who had been put on the government Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) therapy and was doing well until the Government supplies run out and she took a forced break from the medication, as she could not afford the high open market prices for ARVs.
When the stocks returned, Asumpta started again, but the virus in her system had become resistant to the medicine. She was switched to another therapy, which didn't work. She later died!
That is what surrounded the photo exhibition that heralded the recently-concluded week-long International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), held in Abuja, Nigeria.
The exhibition, under the theme: "It is our Reality," was sponsored by ActionAid International Nigeria and other partners in the HIV/AIDS sector.
The exhibition was an entry point to the 14th ICASA, 2005, preceded by plenary sessions, skills building workshops and meetings, all raising key issues on challenges posed to development by the AIDS pandemic.
Visitors to the art gallery appreciated the aesthetic and advocacy essence of the exhibition. "The exhibition is a true confession of life-changing encounters and comes to terms with the reality of the pandemic, which is spreading like a wild fire across the continent," said one visitor.
According to Dr. Jodi Jacobson, the executive director of Centre For Health And Gender Equity in Abuja, there are five million people infected with the HIV virus in Nigeria and it is estimated that by 2012 there will be nine million people living with the virus. The estimated population of Nigeria is 133 million people, with 300,000 orphans living with the virus.
"The exhibition marks a new phase in HIV/AIDS advocacy in Nigeria.
People in the pictures represent only a miniscule percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. Their voices articulate experiences that are mirrored with distressing similarity across the country," said Prof. Femi Soyinka, President of the Society for AIDS in Africa and president, ICASA 2005.
Soyinka said the exhibition provides an opportunity to engender the commitment of Nigerians to identify with people living with HIV/AIDS and safeguard their rights.
While viewing the over 70 ingenius pictures on display at the exhibition, one thing that comes out clearly is the unspoken words, which naturally should be on the minds of every concerned person.
The images, hopefully, should stir up genuine concern and interest for people living with the virus.
Key issues coming out of the process may be summarised as follows: People living with the virus need support to enable them to face the daily challenges of living positively. We could do this by adding "our voices" to their needs.
These include access to information and availability of treatment, access to care and support, as well as protection from stigmatisation and discrimination.
The key phase for ActionAid International HIV/AIDS advocacy campaign, "Access for All, Make Money Work," is very apt. It is the point on which the campaign fits into the expected outcome.
It was obvious from the avalanche of interest by visitors that the core message embedded in the photographs is that of individuals full of courage and conviction in the face of the AIDS pandemic.
The pictures speak volumes about their resolve to be campaigners of hope and positive living.
The key issues during ICASA included: Assessment of various commitments made by African heads of governments and leaders at the African Union (AU) Special Summit on HIV/AIDS under the Millennium Development Goals agreed upon by world leaders at the September 2000 United Nations Summit.
Another key issue was access to treatment and drugs, especially availability of ARVs to those living with the virus.
With an estimated 28 million people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa, accounting for 70% of the HIV infection rates in the world, the pandemic presents a challenge to the continent and the rest of the world.
Experts are of the view that unless something is urgently done to check the spread, its impact on political and socio-economic development in Africa may be far reaching.
Soyinka said ICASA must deliver concrete steps for curbing the spread of the virus. He vowed to come up with a plan to prevent new infections and care for the sick.
"The governments need to slow down the rate of infection, make drugs accessible and affordable and care for children and orphans. We don't want leaders just saying they are committed, we want action," said the ICASA president.
Nigeria's president Olusegun Obasanjo, who opened the conference, re-stated the unflinching support of his government, and the AU, which he currently chairs, to local and global efforts to control HIV/AIDS.
Other top dignitaries who attended included, Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS and Winnie Mandela.
Uganda had the largest delegation, with over 80 participants, led by Dr. Elizabeth Madraa of the health ministry and Amanda Serumaga, the country director of Action Aid International Uganda.
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