NSP-HOPE commemorates World AIDS day 2020

Every year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS.

This year, the theme is: "Ending the HIV/AIDS Eipdemic: Resilience and Impact"

In 2020, the world’s attention has been focused by the COVID-19 pandemic on health and how pandemics affect lives and livelihoods. COVID-19 is showing once again how health is interlinked with other critical issues, such as reducing inequality, human rights, gender equality, social protection and economic growth. With this in mind, this year the theme of World AIDS Day is "Ending the HIV/AIDS Eipdemic: Resilience and Impact".

COVID-19 has demonstrated that, during a pandemic, no one is safe until everyone is safe. Leaving people behind is not an option if we are to succeed. Eliminating stigma and discrimination, putting people at the centre and grounding our responses in human rights and gender-responsive approaches are key to ending the colliding pandemics of HIV and COVID-19 (UNAID, 2020)

As Physiotherapists we need to put in our shift in the fight to end the collision. A healthy world is a goal that all health workers should be ready to contribute to. We must remain resolute and resilient in our conviction to offer quality rehabilitation, even in the face of all these challenges.

The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy has a strong interest group: Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy - HIV/AIDS, Hospice, Oncology and Palliative Care Expert Physiotherapists (NSP-HOPE) which has been in the forefront of the advocacy on combating HIV-AIDS and ensuring that people living with HIV-AIDS have the best quality of life.

As we commemorate this year World Aids Day, what is your thought on how Physiotherapists can be more involved in the management of the HIV-AIDS pandemic? You can also share your experiences in the course of practice.

The opinions and experiences will be collated and cited in our report to the International Physiotherapists for HIV/AIDS, Oncology, Hospice and Palliative Care (IPT-HOPE) as well as shared on the NSP website. Ensure you signed your write-ups with your first name and surname for easy reference. Please tag this number @+2348032529550 when writing your comments. You may also send a private message to the number. We look forward to reading from you all.

Courtesy: NSP-HOPE and Committee on Policy Advocacy and Strategic Planning