{
  "id": 17499530,
  "title": "My mum, church rejected me over HIV status — Advocate, Ekezie",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/my-mum-church-rejected-me-over-hiv-status-advocate-ekezie",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-01T00:06:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/my-mum-church-rejected-me-over-hiv-status-advocate-ekezie/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chika Ekezie, a resident of Imo State living with HIV, turned into an advocate after openly sharing his status in November 2024 after seven years of silence. Chika shared his story with Ayoola Olasupo regarding his diagnosis, workplace discrimination, and religious community rejection. Chika first noticed symptoms like fever, fatigue, pneumonia, night sweats, severe headaches, and weight loss. He dismissed these signs as ordinary ailments and sought medication from pharmacies instead of seeking medical help. It was only after a hospital visit that Chika was diagnosed with HIV. The revelation led to stigma both at his workplace and within his family. Chika's employers terminated his job upon discovering his HIV status, and his church community distanced themselves from him. His brother also faced harassment. Chika's struggle with stigma and the pressure to disclose his HIV status prompted him to begin sharing his journey on social media. He credits his faith in God for giving him the strength to face the stigma head-on and take responsibility for his health by beginning treatment and practicing safer sex.",
  "summary": "An HIV advocate, Chika Ekezie, shares his story of being rejected by his mother, church, and employer after discovering his HIV status. Read More: https://punchng.com/my-mum-church-rejected-me-over-hiv-status-advocate-ekezie/",
  "key_points": [
    "Chika Ekezie diagnosed with HIV in November 2024",
    "Workplace terminated him after discovering HIV status",
    "Church community distanced themselves from him"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}