NIGERIA: Homosexuality blamed for rising HIV rates

Nigeria's National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) has accused homosexuals of being a major obstacle in the government's efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS.

NACA chief Babatunde Osotimehin recently told a press conference in the capital, Abuja, that growing numbers of Nigerian men were engaging in homosexuality, and this "foreign practice" was fueling the transmission of HIV because "the undercover mode of operation of homosexuals makes it difficult to extend HIV testing and counseling sevices to them".

He urged all homosexual men and women to know their HIV status, adding that his agency was in the process of ensuring full confidentiality during testing and counselling.

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[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]