Pharmacy students, academics, and public health professionals gathered at Bayero University, Kano, to examine HIV prevention in the 21st century, with emphasis on PrEP, PEP, stigma reduction, and community-based strategies.
The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), Bayero University Kano (BUK) Chapter Public Health Committee, in collaboration with Rxrelated Company Ltd, hosted a Public Health Panel Session on 16th December 2025 at the Bello Bako Dambatta Theatre (BBDT), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, BUK (Old Campus). The event was held under the theme “HIV in the 21st Century: From Treatment to Prevention,” with a sub-theme focused on “The Role of Pharmacy Students in Breaking Stigma and Driving Community-Based HIV Prevention.”
The session convened students, academics, and public health practitioners to explore evolving HIV prevention strategies, persistent societal challenges, and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare professionals in addressing stigma and improving health outcomes.
Dr Abubakar Ismail Zango
Dr Abubakar Ismail Zango, a Medical Doctor trained at Bayero University, Kano, and currently working with Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI), opened the panel discussion. He spoke extensively on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), emphasizing their relevance in contemporary HIV prevention.
He outlined the conditions under which PEP is indicated, including needle-stick injuries, failure of barrier contraceptive methods, and cases of sexual assault or violence. For PrEP, he highlighted its importance among high-risk populations, particularly commercial sex workers.
Dr Zango further advocated for the integration of HIV services into primary healthcare, calling on the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to incorporate HIV services into primary healthcare settings to improve access and delivery at the community level. He also stressed the importance of community-based prevention strategies, proposing increased community engagement and the introduction of health education courses across university disciplines.
Pharm. Nasiru Aminu Sani, B.Pharm, MPH
Pharm. Nasiru Aminu Sani is a Pharmacist with a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Master of Public Health. He is a Lecturer in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice and a postgraduate student in the same department, with research interests in public health, medication safety, and medication adherence.
He spoke on the stigma surrounding HIV and its impact on testing, treatment adherence, and disclosure. He addressed common myths and misconceptions, noting that despite increased information dissemination, false beliefs such as HIV transmission through mosquito bites or handshakes persist in many communities.
On the cultural drivers of stigma, he highlighted the moral narratives associated with HIV/AIDS and the lifelong nature of the illness as major contributors. He further emphasized the ethical responsibility of healthcare professionals, stressing the need for non-judgmental care, respect for human dignity, avoidance of discrimination, and strict confidentiality when attending to people living with HIV.
Dr Safiya Bala Borodo
Dr Safiya Bala Borodo is a trained pharmacist and academic in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano. Her research focuses on endocrine pharmacology, with contributions to high-impact public health and clinical research, including global mortality studies and medication use in Nigeria.
She provided an overview of HIV, discussing societal perceptions of the disease and the immorality often associated with it. She also addressed Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), highlighting its role in reducing new HIV infections.
Dr Borodo further discussed the pharmacological agents used in PrEP and PEP, as well as common co-infections associated with AIDS, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based pharmacotherapy in HIV prevention and management.
Interactive Session and Closing Remarks
During the interactive session, participants engaged the panelists on the role of social media in community awareness, the appropriateness of discussing HIV with children, the resurgence of herbal remedies, and the possibility of HIV elimination. The panelists agreed that social media is a powerful awareness tool, affirmed the importance of early HIV education, emphasized that herbal remedies should only be advocated if scientifically proven, and expressed optimism that HIV elimination is achievable, although the exact timeline remains uncertain.
In his closing remarks, the President of PANS-BUK thanked the panelists and students for their participation and encouraged the Public Health Team to intensify awareness and advocacy efforts.
Speaking on behalf of the organizing team, the Chairman of the PANS-BUK Public Health Committee, Chisom Gabriel Onuabueke, sincerely appreciated all the guests, panelists, and students who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the event. He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to continued advocacy on public health issues in pursuit of a healthier society.
The panel session concluded as a significant step toward strengthening HIV prevention efforts, reducing stigma, and empowering students and healthcare professionals to drive impactful, community-based public health interventions.
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