Gender Based Violence, Discrimination Fuel Poor Health Outcomes In Anambra

Gender-Based Violence, Discrimination Fuel Poor Health Outcomes in Anambra – Advocacy Team


Gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination are significantly worsening health outcomes for people affected by HIV, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria in Anambra State, the State Advocacy Team (SAT) of the HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (HTM) Networks has said.
The advocacy group raised the alarm during a visit to the Anambra State office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), where it called for stronger collaboration to tackle human rights violations that continue to deny vulnerable persons equitable access to quality healthcare.
The visit, held under the Global Fund-supported Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (i-CLM) Project, focused on forging partnerships to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), stigma, discrimination and other rights abuses identified through community monitoring across the state.
Leading the delegation, the Anambra State Coordinator of the Tuberculosis Network and State Advocacy Team Focal Lead on the i-CLM Project, Mrs. Ify Unachukwu, said evidence gathered from communities revealed that human rights violations remain one of the biggest obstacles to effective HIV, TB and Malaria interventions.
According to her, survivors of gender-based violence, persons living with HIV, TB patients and other vulnerable groups continue to face discrimination in some healthcare facilities, breaches of patient confidentiality, unequal treatment and inadequate protection of their rights.
She added that many victims are unwilling to report abuses because of fear of stigma, social backlash and possible retaliation, while weak referral systems between health facilities and human rights institutions have further compounded the problem.
Mrs. Unachukwu warned that the consequences extend beyond violations of human dignity, stressing that many affected persons delay seeking medical attention, discontinue treatment or fail to adhere to prescribed medications, thereby worsening their health conditions.
"These violations are contributing to delayed diagnosis, poor treatment adherence, treatment interruption and ultimately poorer health outcomes for beneficiaries of HIV, TB and Malaria programmes," she said.
She called for stronger accountability within healthcare facilities and improved awareness of patients' legal rights to ensure that no individual is denied access to life-saving healthcare because of discrimination or abuse.
Also speaking, the State Programme Officer of the TB Network, Mr. Onyekachi Ololo, urged the National Human Rights Commission to strengthen collaboration with civil society organisations implementing the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring Project.
He advocated the establishment of effective referral mechanisms for victims of human rights violations, improved documentation of abuse cases and intensified public enlightenment on patients' rights as critical steps towards building a rights-based healthcare system.
Responding, the Anambra State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Barr. Obinna Maduforo, acknowledged that gender-based violence, stigma, discrimination and denial of healthcare constitute serious human rights concerns that require coordinated action.
He reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to investigating complaints of rights violations, promoting human rights education, facilitating mediation where necessary and collaborating with stakeholders to improve access to justice for vulnerable populations.
Maduforo also pledged the Commission's support in strengthening referrals involving discrimination and GBV cases while working with civil society organisations to expand awareness of available complaint mechanisms.
Both organisations agreed to deepen collaboration through human rights education for healthcare workers, community sensitisation on patients' rights, joint advocacy against stigma and discrimination, capacity building for community monitors and policy engagement to improve accountability within the health sector.
The advocacy team said integrating human rights into healthcare delivery remains critical to improving access to HIV, TB and Malaria services and achieving better health outcomes for residents of Anambra State.

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