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Let’s Join Hands & Remove The Stigma Surrounding HIV/AIDS

Start Date: 03-11-2017
End Date: 01-12-2017

Ever since the spread of HIV in the 1980’s, PLHIV (People living with HIV) have been subjected to multiple discrimination and unfairness. HIV is a virus which attacks the immune ...

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Ever since the spread of HIV in the 1980’s, PLHIV (People living with HIV) have been subjected to multiple discrimination and unfairness. HIV is a virus which attacks the immune system of a person and if untreated for long, it can completely destroy the person’s immune system. But due to lack of proper awareness programmes, there is a huge stigma surrounding HIV resulting in neglect and discrimination of PLHIV.

Many people associate HIV with only drugs, sex and prostitution, but there are several ways through which a person can get HIV. It spreads through unprotected sex with an HIV positive person, needle or syringe usage contaminated with the virus, blood transfusion, organ transplant, mother to child during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding among a few other causes. As a result of prejudices around the subject, many people regard HIV positive individuals immoral and believe they deserve such a fate. Several cases have been reported where PLHIV refuse to visit the hospital for fear of stigmatisation and subsequently delay their diagnosis and treatment.

Every year, it is found that a large number of people worldwide are denied health services due to presence of the virus in them. Such discrimination has led to several HIV patients being barred from accessing proper health care, thus suffering from both physical and psychological damage. It is also seen that HIV patients are shunned by family, friends and the community, making them vulnerable and causing damage to their basic human rights.

The good news is that with the advancement of treatment, HIV could be made less transmissible, letting people with HIV live healthier and lead a normal life. However, inspite of such medical breakthroughs, people with HIV continue to face discrimination and prejudice, killing their self-confidence and spirit on the way.

This World Aids Day on Dec 1st, we seek suggestions on how we can raise awareness on prevention of HIV transmission and the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS in our society.

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Subodh kr Sarma 6 years 4 months ago

In my view Prevention of AIDS is possible if,
1. We include it as a chapter/topic in our school curriculum up to class 12.
2. Various 'on site' awareness activities are required for those who are out of school, poor or illiterate along with mass media awareness.

To eliminate the stigma associated with it,
1. Involve those who are suffering from it. With respect and dignity let them connect to common people through mass media. Artist, Singer or political leaders can help them to highlight.

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Dipankar Das 6 years 4 months ago

By providing general awareness among people by short films on AIDs in Telivison because in todays world telivisions are spread everywhere from urban to rural in india