The Executive Director, Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI), Dr. Stephen Aremu Akinyele, has called on journalists, media professionals and social media influencers to intensify public education and responsible reporting on stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence (GBV) and rights abuses affecting vulnerable populations in Kwara State.
Dr. Akinyele made the call at a sensitization meeting held in Ilorin on Stigma, Rights Abuse, Gender-Based Violence and Discrimination, organised under the Advancing Integrated Health Services Delivery for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Communicable Diseases (CDs) Project.
He said the project is funded by the Global Fund through the National AIDS and STIs Control Programmeb( NASCP) and is being implemented by Jhpiego with HFDI as an implementing partner.
The programme is aimed at strengthening integrated Sexual Representative Health Right (SRHR) and communicable disease (CD) services across Offa, Asa and Moro Local Government Areas.
According to him, HFDI has reached 50,000 community members with SRH Social and Behaviour Change messages, sensitised 250 community and religious leaders, facilitated 30 community-led initiatives on stigma and discrimination, and organised 50 referral coordination meetings.
He urged the media to disseminate accurate and stigma-sensitive information, challenge harmful misconceptions and protect the privacy, confidentiality and dignity of people living with HIV, adolescents, GBV survivors and other vulnerable groups.
He further charged the government at all levels to continue to prioritise the institutionalisation of integrated SRHR and CD services within health policies, budget and routine health care systems.
Dr Akinyele further charged religious leaders, community stakeholders and civil Society and Community Based Organisations to strengthen advocacy, community engagement demand generation, referral linkages and accountability mechanisms while working collaboratively with government, health facilities, development partners and communities.
Also speaking, the project Director, Dr Chioma Oduenyi, who was represented by Jhpiego State Team Lead, Mr. Williams Awotunde, said the project integrates SRHR services with HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and sexually transmitted infection interventions, allowing clients to access multiple services during a single visit.
He disclosed that Jhpiego supports 15 PHC centres across Offa, Asa and Moro LGAs, providing training, mentoring, supportive supervision and monitoring to strengthen frontline healthcare delivery.
He said the integrated approach would help reduce the time and cost of accessing healthcare, while the project also promotes skilled birth attendance to contribute to reducing maternal and newborn mortality.
Both speakers called for stronger collaboration among government, healthcare providers, communities, development partners and the media to reduce stigma, discrimination and GBV and promote equitable access to quality healthcare with dignity and respect.
