Millions failed to remove HIV/AIDS stigma

9 February 2010

Millions of ngultrums have been spent on public awareness of HIV/AIDS through multi-sector task forces, awareness programmes, and advertisements, yet the stigma attached to the disease and people suffering from it remains a challenge, according to health officials.

Director of Public Health, Dr Ugen Dophu, said it would take years to remove the stigma. “The infected people should be strong. They have to start an association, come out and speak about it. This will help remove the stigma faster. The ministry is there to support them in every way, and for them there is no dearth of funds,” he said.

Most people have heard of HIV/ AIDS but they do not clearly know how it does or does not spread, which leads to discrimination and stigma, according to Doctor Dophu. “Once they understand, it would remove all misconceptions and discrimination, and stigmatization will decrease,” he said.

Currently, the ministry is working closely with the infected people to help them face the challenge boldly by giving them trainings on writing proposal and letting them attend workshops in which health officials take part.

Asking what his reaction would be if he encountered a HIV positive person, a Thimphu resident said he would pity him but “leave him to what he has asked for”.

“I would be devastated if I find my loved one infected by the disease. I won’t know

how to support him or her,” said Dechen (name changed), another resident of Thimphu.

An HIV patient had earlier told Observer, “On the outer level, everything is fine but when one looks deeper, it’s the other people who fear the infected people.” He said that people relate HIV only with sexual promiscuity and not with any other means.

According to Lama Shenphen Zangpo, a social worker, viewed spiritually, outer fears reflect inner unresolved issues. He cited the example of why people turn away from a beggar or dislike visiting a dying relative in a hospital. “It is because they force us to face our inner fears,” he said. “In the case of rejecting a beggar’s request, our reaction challenges our carefully constructed idea of who we think we are. To visit a dying relative forces us to face the reality of our own future demise.”

Lama Shenphen said, “Encountering a HIV/AIDS positive person often has a similar effect, and by stigmatizing such people we solidify our fears. This is the root of suffering.”

By Kuenzang C Choden

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