The role of religious leaders in curbing the spread of HIV/Aids in Nigeria

Nigeria, with a population of approximately 140 million people, was one of the developing countries to be faced with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The early years of the epidemic were characterised at first by mystery and rumour, followed by the discovery that HIV/AIDS was a disease, then a pandemic that resulted in an unprecedented tragedy. Since 1986, HIV/AIDS has had grave consequences and a direct impact on at least one in every ten households in Nigeria. The rate of infection worldwide has been alarming. HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria rose from 1.8 per cent in 1991 to 5.8 per cent in 2001, and declined slightly to 4.4 per cent in 2005. Less than 1 per cent of those who need antiretroviral drugs have access to them. At the end of 2007, approximately 2.6 million people were infected with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. In the same year, approximately 170 000 people reportedly died from HIV/AIDS. Average life expectancy has declined significantly from 53.8 years for women and 52.6 years for men in 1991 to 46 for women and 47 for men in 2007. The tragic toll of this epidemic "brings compelling urgency to the call for a renewed commitment by religious leaders to achieve Universal Access for All to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support as well as impact mitigation." By the end of 2003, Nigeria ranked third globally after South Africa and India with its number of reported HIV/AIDS cases. As statistics reveal, it is a worldwide disaster. HIV/AIDS causes unacceptable human suffering to the infected individuals, as well as to their families, communities and nations alike. Its impact leaves nothing untouched. In an increasingly interconnected world, no State or community is immune to its ravaging effect; there are no safe havens. It does not recognise race, colour or creed, sex, economic status, political boundaries or religious association one belongs to. It is not just a health issue or an economic, geopolitical or human rights crisis. It is a human condition and therefore of great concern to the religious leaders.