Nigeria’s anti-gay law won’t affect HIV treatment – NACA

Jonathan signed the law on January 7

The Director General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, John Idoko, says no provision of the Anti-Same Sex Marriage Act will deny anybody access to HIV treatment.

The agency said this in a statement issued by the agency’s Assistant Chief Communication Officer, Toyin Aderibigbe, in Abuja on Monday.

The statement quoted Mr. Idoko as saying, “The Government of Nigeria remains fully committed to improving the health of Nigerians and preventing all AIDS related deaths. Therefore, Federal Government will continue to ensure that Nigerians have access to the requisite services that they may require as guaranteed by the constitution.”

It noted that nothing in the law referred to or prohibited programmes targeted at prevention, treatment, care and support for people living with HIV or affected by AIDS in Nigeria.

“No provision of this law will deny anybody in Nigeria access to HIV treatment and other medical services,” the statement said.

It noted that the provisions had no negative effects on the HIV and AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support programme.

The anti-gay act was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on January 7 and has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians and foreigners.