The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has canvassed universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and protection from stigmatization.

UNICEF's Assistant Representative in Nigeria Sara Beysolow- Nyanti told a news conference in Lagos on Thursday that to ensure an AIDS-free society no member of the society should be marginalized.

"Recent stock taking report shows that there has been some progress, but more needs to be done to ensure that the best care, treatment and support for HIV and AIDS are available to all," she told reporters.

It was imperative to redirect such effort at serving every segment of the society, adding that only those in urban centers currently have access to HIV/AIDS treatment, Beysolow-Nyanti said.

"Women, children and adolescents living in rural areas do not have access to the benefits of the AIDS response as those living in urban area," the UNICEF representative added.

She explained that there are indications that while children have benefited from the AIDS response, there is still inequity in gender, economic status, geographical location, education and social status.

She said the removal of these barriers is crucial to universal access to knowledge, care, protection and the prevention of mother- to-child transmission (PMTCT).

The UNICEF official told reporters that HIV/AIDS has taken its toll on individuals and families for nearly three decades resulting in deaths as well as medical, financial and social burdens.

She said the fund has evolved programs aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the provision of pediatric care and treatment in order to reduce HIV infection among adolescents.

Beysolow-Nyanti said the theme of 2010 World AIDS Day " Universal Access and Human Rights" is a global call toward access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care.

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