HIV-positive couples are being paired up for marriage by a northern Nigerian state in an attempt to reduce the spread of the disease.

But international Aids experts have voiced concern at the plan.

Warren Naamara from UNAids said the two people could have different strains of the virus, which could interact. He said the couples should use condoms.

Around 70 couples have been matched up in the last few weeks, Bauchi state authorities told the BBC.

Authorities in the state say they are trying to stop HIV spreading and battle the "isolation and stigma" of the disease.

Some 3% of Nigeria's adult population - 2.4 million people - is estimated to be HIV-positive

Bauchi State operates under Sharia, or Islamic laws, and the use of condoms is not encouraged.

Speed-dating

Dr Lirwan Mohammed, the executive secretary of the Bauchi Action Committee on Aids, said the polygamous culture of northern Nigeria had increased the spread of the disease.



"Polygamy, as we have discovered, has become a potent source of spreading the HIV scourge in Nigeria," he said.

The marriages were arranged under strict confidentiality, he said.

"Suitors who have tested positive and are willing to wed each other, can reduce the spread of the virus and also cushion the psychological trauma of isolation."

Couples are introduced to each other during counselling sessions and are free to say yes or no to each potential partner, says the BBC's Shehu Saulawa.

One groom, speaking to the BBC's Hausa service on condition of anonymity, said he was confident the plan would combat the spread of Aids in Nigeria.

"If we should fear God, we should stop spreading the HIV virus through indiscriminate marriage, thereby infecting innocent people," he said.

"Marrying someone with the same HIV status will reduce the spread of the scourge."

Danger

But the head of the United Nations agency in charge of battling the disease in the country said the scheme was dangerous.

"There may be a very big danger in terms of the spread of the disease," said Mr Naamara

He also said it was "not advisable" for such couples to have children.

"The chances are that child would become a double orphan, they would lose both parents."

"Our advice is they should use condoms."

Last month Bauchi state reportedly locked up sex workers who had tested positive for HIV.

BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Nigeria arranges 'HIV marriages'


Are you serious me right now?

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I am what I am.

These sharia mullahs don't play sha

And by the way, this policy coulda actually be a good program if not that it would stop people from getting tested.

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By the action of the colonization of Africa by the West, it (the West) should be prosecuted for the rape of a minor. It is not for nothing that the phenomenon (colonization) is shamelessly referred to as 'penetration'

For posterity, the ninteenth century will be the period in which Europe was gripped by a wave of lust. It became a competition to see who could penetrate the farthest. Who cares if the victim brutally robbed of her virginity remained marked for the rest of her life?

i still don't get da point.

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This is a sleek way to create the first 21st century caste system. If the plan succeeds, their will be talk of Aids quarters, children born of Aids Parents, etc. This is not a good idea as it may bring about unknown consequences. Remember, research has shown that Aids has different strains, and mixing them up could create a super bug that will not only be resistant to today’s retroviral medicines, but will/may quickly kill infected people more quickly.

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I Am The Master Of All I Survey!



Avatar Comments Here

Sorry Guys cnt but LOL !!!!!
Dis is so funny (once again sorry, jst incase some people might object to my Loling).
Dis is jst like encouraging an AS or SS to marry someone with d same genotype. Wot sort of children do we expect from HIV positive parents???
We surely need a rapid Godly intervention in 9ja !

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Every homeless clown that shambles along claims to be a Nigerian but can’t stand Nigeria or Nigerians. Go figure!

HIV positive parents can also produce a non HIV child as long as they play it by the rule. I actually like the idea, for a HIV positive mother and father they are expected to do it with a condom except when they wanna make babies . I also know at the time they are ready to conceive they will be monitored their immune system will be boosted up, the virus must be at a minimal or almost insignificant level for them to produce a non positive child. Once the conception takes place. they immediately return back to using condom .... There have been so many successful cases . I truly welcome the idea or would you guys prefer positive + a negative partner which will still be equal to both positive... at the end of the day or they shouldn't get married and be spreading the disease my dear they do have feelings. This arrangement will give them a sense of belonging

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SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO SEE THE PLACE,GOD HAS CALLED YOU AS A PLACE OF BLESSING, BUT THATS WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO HOLD ON AND TRUST THE PROCESS
PEOPLE TEND TO DRAW OTHERS BACK FROM THINGS THEY SECRETLY WOULD HAVE LOVED TO DO BUT ARE NOT CAPABLE OR DARING ENOUGH TO DO
THEY WILL ALWAYS TALK BUT YOUR CHOICE IN WHO YOU LISTEN TO IS WHAT MATTERS......

ok then !

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Every homeless clown that shambles along claims to be a Nigerian but can’t stand Nigeria or Nigerians. Go figure!