Stop the stigma and accept people with HIV/AIDS – it will save lives

 

 

The planet will mark World Aids Day this Friday December 1st.

 

The event is a chance for the world to unite in the global struggle against HIV/AIDS.

 

Here in Thailand much excellent work has already been done especially in raising awareness and in providing drugs to those with HIV.

 

But more needs to be done especially to rid the country of the stigma facing people living with HIV.

 

For it is the stigma that exists that is stopping people being tested and therefore getting the life- saving medication that can help HIV+ people live virtually normal, long and productive lives.

 

Stigma is still literally killing people in Thailand.

 

The issue of stigma is recognized by all government agencies and NGOs working in the field but still it persists. It is not just a Thai problem, it exists worldwide, but causes especial problems in the kingdom.

 

Worse even than the ignorance of HIV infection displayed by the uneducated is the official reaction of some Thai employers or even educational institutions.

 

Some people have lost their jobs after their HIV status was revealed, it was said this week.

 

Some people have been denied the right to an education.

 

This is illegal – statutes exist to prevent results of HIV blood tests being either shared or acted upon.

 

No one needs to take a ‘compulsory blood test’ demanded by an employer and certainly no one should have to reveal private information to their boss.

 

The stigma caused by lack of education means many prefer not to know their status. This exists in villages in particular where HIV positive people are shunned.

 

This is a terrible and damaging situation for everyone.

 

But also people who are untested and unknowingly have HIV put not just themselves in danger of health complications but their sexual partners, too, by engaging in unprotected sex that can pass on the virus.

 

These days Thailand has all manner of inexpensive or free drugs that suppress the virus. While doctors know the virus is still present patients on successful treatment are declared to have an undetectable viral load.

 

Such people have been confirmed in international studies as being non-infectious.

 

They cannot infect anyone.

 

How much better it is to know and take action by getting treatment than to risk passing on the disease.

 

If the stigma stopped – if the fear of exposure to family, friends and work colleagues ended – then so can the epidemic.

 

Thailand treats at least 400,000 people with HIV cocktail therapy. A fair proportion of these are children.

 

Much is available to Thais for free through the universal health care system. Even non-Thais can buy inexpensive life-saving drugs on prescription over the counter that are produced by the Government Pharmaceutical Organization.

 

Some others know they have the virus but are not yet being treated though international guidelines indicate that treatment should now start as soon as possible.

 

But the alarming stats that many in the field acknowledge is that there may be 100,000s of others who have the virus but are not aware and not being tested principally because of stigma and ignorance.

 

It is time the authorities come down hard on anyone who shares confidential information and sacks people or denies them their right to education.

 

It is time that the public at large realize that HIV positive people on successful treatment are not a threat.

 

It is time that they realize that people who have not been tested, especially those in high risk groups, could represent a far greater problem especially when engaging in unprotected sex or needle sharing.

 

The threat comes when people don’t know or don’t want to know for fear of what others will say.

 

The NGOs and the government have done great things since Thailand teetered on a crisis of monumental proportions two decades ago.

 

But still people are dying needlessly.

 

Some battles have been won but the fight is not over.

 

Rooster

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-11-28

I am in total agreement with this post.

 

At least three people died with HIV where I lived but nevertheless I thought Thailand's medical effort was quite impressive under the circumstances.

 

Nevertheless the stigma remains and needs to be dealt with via education and compassion.

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

It is time that the public at large realize that HIV positive people on successful treatment are not a threat.

 

Excellent post!

 

Thailand deserves a lot of credit for its response to AIDS and HIV. I remember my first visit to Thailand in the mid-90s and seeing, for the first time in my life, condoms for sale at a 7-11. That was a difficult and gutsy thing to do, and something that my native country had not done.

 

I think that the excellent initial response has faded a bit... Perhaps it is time for a new round of public education regarding HIV/AIDS so the younger generation can increase their knowledge.

 

This is a terrible, terrible disease, but with education and awareness, the effects can be mitigated greatly.

 

Kudos on the great work so far, and here's hoping it continues, expands and accelerates.

 

 

Edited November 28, 20178 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

i agree. the stigma is what stops alot of people getting treatment. you mention in the post "No one needs to take a ‘compulsory blood test’ demanded by an employer and certainly no one should have to reveal private information to their boss" to get a work permit last year i had to take a blood test, however i think they tested for elephantitis and hepatitis and has something to do with the WHO trying to eradicate them. i believe you could test positive and would still get the permit but you'd have to get treatment

I disagree, judicial quarantine is called for, rates are increasing along with sundry venereal diseases, especially among LGBT and promiscuous populations which also are increasing with liberal venues. Moreover, folks always lie about sex. But hey, let the destruction flow and costs increase. Enjoy the propaganda and fabrications.

Over the counter saliva test kits for HIV ARE available, but governments (USA) prohibit dispensing without a doctors perscription!

 

I guess the theory is that if a person gets a positive that there needs immediate counseling.

 

How can not accepting HIV and Aids be a stigma? Accepting means that you are accepting all other diseases too. Why do we need to accept that, when everybody is fighting to get rid of diseases. Accepting this is a clear sign of making harm to progress and evolution.

1 hour ago, OmarZaid said:

I disagree, judicial quarantine is called for, rates are increasing along with sundry venereal diseases, especially among LGBT and promiscuous populations which also are increasing with liberal venues. Moreover, folks always lie about sex. But hey, let the destruction flow and costs increase. Enjoy the propaganda and fabrications.

You should go and have a blood test Omar....just to check that you have any.

Sorry but this lot are hopeless at doing anything. You of all people should know this. HIV victims to them are just another statistic like road deaths. The Thai elite or the military couldn't care less. 

I applaud you for your well intentioned efforts but sadly Thai military have deaf ears when it comes to anything that is of no consequence to them.

 

The only people you need worry about are those that either ignore their HIV status, deliberately do not take anti-virals and retros and those that are unaware f their infection. The chances stated of getting HIV from a person with a undetectable viral load is <1% - however that number is given only as a warning. In reality nobody with an undetectable viral load has ever passed on HIV - that includes all sexes and all persuasions - and covers hundreds of thousands of sexual encounters. Please free free to check the Swiss study in this if you doubt it.

 

HIV is not the big thing it was before - and you will live a full life with treatment, even have children HIV free.

 

NOTE : Just as you have an undetectable viral load it does not ean no condom - there are now worse things than HIV - like un-treatable ghonorea and such.