HIV/AIDS STIGMATIZATION AND DISCRIMINATION



 by ASHA SAID
Ever Since the discovery of this diseases, in the early 1980s, victims have been succumbed to stigmatization for the fear of one thing or the other. They were regarded as ‘socially unacceptable’ or unfit to mingle with the rest due to spread of infections or other reasons. Sadly, his case has not stopped and as the years has progressed. The effect is seen worldwide and some cases are extreme. Some are killed, tortured and Ill-treated for the health status. Some countries even deny them passes for the situation.
Many people, unlike the ones who have knowledge of the disease tend to fear the victims and even exclude them in the social activities. This leads to even the patients hiding their status for the fear of being stigmatized. This leads to isolation and the feeling of lacking support to get through. Even some parents neglect their own children who are infected. Some people chose to believe in myths when it comes to these cases. Some African cultures even go as far as believing that HI/AIDS is a curse and the curse are as good as dead and not allowed to live among the living. Some of the things people are made to believe are not even near the truth.
Stigma is often attached to things that others are afraid of like being infected. Some even avoid handshakes for the fear of being passed on to. Some even judge the victim based on their sexual behavior little do they know that the virus is not just transmitted through intercourse.
With this level of discrimination, some don’t get the deserved treatment even in the hospitals because of lack of respect from the staff and other associated parties.
That’s why NGOs and other humanitarian organizations are coming up every day to create more awareness about this and how it’s manageable if not completely treatable and any victim can live a normal life just like any other healthy being out there without infection anyone else. Researchers have also come up with drugs to protect the parties that may be victims of rape from infected persons. Mothers who have tested positive can now give birth and breastfeed their children without the worry of the virus spreading to the offspring. Couples can now engage in sex freely without being infected if only they take the precautions. Infected persons have lived longer than the way society designed for them. Eating healthy, taking drugs, avoiding things that they may slow down the drug function in the body is the key. Governments have set up public counseling centers in major clinics and hospitals to help the victims who need emotional and mental support when everything appears to be impossible. Family and friends of the infected are also urged to embrace them in the society and treat them normally just like any other being.

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