HIV/AIDS scourge in Police worries Okiro's wife

August 1, 2007

Wife of the acting Inspector General of Police, Chief (Mrs) Hera Okiro has lamented the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS among the rank and file of the police force.

Mrs. Okiro, who is the National President of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) gave the statement at Lokoja while speaking during the one-day sensitization programme on HIV/AIDS, organized by the association in conjunction with National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA).

"In view of the devastating impact of the spread of HIV/AIDS among the police force who are in the vanguard of protecting lives and property in the country, POWA has considered it necessary and important to join hands with all stakeholders that are working to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Chief Okiro said studies have shown that there are cases of HIV/AIDS in many police communities stressing that police health facilities were yet to be fully integrated into the national HIV/AIDS treatment programmes in the country.

On why POWA is embarking on the exercise she noted that care and support schemes have not fully commenced in many police communities, adding that there are still cases of stigma and discrimination in many police formations.

"The burden of HIV/AIDS epidemic is still being disproportionately carried by women and children in police communities, we are out to mobilize the police force not only in prevention programmes but also in facilitating care and support of those who may have been infected by the virus," she said.

In his goodwill message the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ibezimako Aghanya, enjoined officers and rank and file who are always on special assignment to ensure that they use condom when engaging in sexual intercourse, adding that HIV/AIDS was real and the virus was already taking its toll on policemen.