Lessons from AIDS Response Applicable to Monkeypox – UNAIDS
The UNAIDS Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, Dr Leo Zekeng, has said that lessons from the AIDS response apply to the Monkeypox.
Zekeng, who spoke in Abuja, said social stigma and global inequality in access to essential medicines, including vaccines were part of the challenges.
“Lessons we have learnt in the AIDS response apply to the Monkeypox response too. The Monkeypox response in Nigeria is being impacted by both social stigma and by global inequality in access to essential medicines, including vaccines.”
According to the director, the local staff in the most affected states have reported that stigma, connected with commentary from across the world blaming gay people for Monkeypox, is discouraging some people from seeking care.
Read Also:
Read Also: Monkeypox cases top 35,000 in 92 countries – WHO
“State Ministry of Health officials are also embarking on community sensitisation on Monkeypox, emphasising identification of symptoms, prevention, and the need to get tested.
He further noted that the scarcity of key medicines is also holding back Nigeria’s Monkeypox response. There is a need to support expansion of the supply of medicines, equipment, and sample collection materials.
“Unlike the developed countries, US and EU, Nigeria does not have any supply of vaccines for Monkeypox. This brings amongst people in affected areas a sense of frustration that they have been left behind by the world. ”
Zekeng observed that support in efforts to challenge stigma, and in enabling access to essential medicines, are key to ensuring that everyone impacted by monkeypox in Nigeria gets the care they need, even as he argued that support for the response in Nigeria is essential for the success of the global response.
