Organization: Slum and Rural Health Initiative
Region: Africa
Nationality: Nigeria
Country: Nigeria
Interests & expertise: Co-morbidities (NCDs, mental health, etc.)
Profession or occupation: Healthcare worker/social service provider
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
Having worked in healthcare institutions and managed clients with disabilities or co-morbidities who also live with HIV, I am inspired to provide an improved quality of life for people living with HIV regardless of the region where they live. Also, HIV stigma and discrimination are still prevalent in Nigeria, which often prevents people from accessing testing and prevention services. A dire need to close this gap and improve access to HIV testing and prevention services has motivated me to work in the HIV field.
I am passionate about ensuring a world where people are not discriminated against in schools, places of employment or religious centres because they live with HIV. I am also committed to the achievement of the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals, as well as seeing a world where the HIV pandemic no longer poses a threat to human existence.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
One of my goals as an IAS change maker is to ensure that young people are at the forefront of research, advocacy and innovations in the HIV field. Also, I want to ensure that marginalized population groups, such as people with disabilities, people living in refugees and internally displaced people, have access to HIV prevention and cure services.