Ending the AIDS stigma

In a country such as our’s which prides itself on its humanity, AIDS/HIV patients are being shunned by some and even dreaded. This is a measure of how deep-rooted and irrational the fear of AIDS continues to be.

However, the fact is that AIDS/HIV need not be feared by those who abide strictly by the marriage covenant and practise safe sex.

Those who continue to observe the sanctity of marriage and shun extra-marital sex, need not fear AIDS. The same applies to those who abide by the norm of having a single sexual partner.

However, since we live in an imperfect world, there is no avoiding the need to practise safe sex, if the single partner rule is considered inconvenient. For instance, condom use should be popularised and resorted to.

Through these means the risk of contracting AIDS/HIV could be minimised. However, it would be highly hypocritical of the public to shun and marginalise AIDS/HIV patients, as if they are a blight on society.

To begin with, this is an irrational attitude. Physical closeness to an AIDS patient does not open one to the risk of contracting the AIDS virus. Only sexual contact with an AIDS patient or blood transfusions containing the AIDS virus, could bring about AIDS.

However, the mere physical closeness to a HIV patient would not bring about AIDS. Therefore, there is absolutely no need to stigmatize and shun AIDS patients. One could care and fend for them, without contracting the disease.

Accordingly, legal measures by the health authorities to contain the social stigma attached to AIDS and to end the discriminatory treatment of AIDS/HIV patients should be warmly welcomed.

What is needed is the humane treatment of these patients. Such treatment could be meted out to these patients very liberally and generously without the public having to run the risk of contracting AIDS.

Therefore, every means should be adopted to bring AIDS patients into mainstream life. This is the least the State and the public could do for these hapless people who, after all, consist of mortal flesh.

Therefore, we wholeheartedly support State moves to end discriminatory treatment of these patients.

Along with these measures, a vigorous public education programme needs to be launched to enlighten the public on the true nature of AIDS. This would prevent the less educated from relegating the AIDS - affected to the margins of society.

If compassion is one of our strong points as a people, this quality should be extended warmly to the sick and helpless, whatever the illness affecting them. Thus will we establish ourselves as a caring people.