Human Rights group to address HIV/AIDS stigma

While the scourge of HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination comes mainly from the general public, individuals in the health care sector who treat persons living with the disease have also been propagating greater narrow-mindedness.{{more}}

This observation has come from the St Vincent and the Grenadines Human Rights Association (SVGHRA), as they announced their project to build capacity to address HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination at their office on Wednesday.

President of the Association Nicole Sylvester said that they have had several meetings with persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families, and they have expressed grave concern with the way persons in the health sector have also been contributing to the dread of infected persons.

She said that regrettably, the stark reality was that there have been several reports of record keepers at the main medical facility who have “breached confidentiality” by spreading the names of persons living with HIV/AIDS to the rest of their community.

The Human Rights President lamented, “It is disheartening that those individuals are still record keepers. Too little is being done by the state and those who are empowered in the HIV/AIDS sector.”

She also said that the cleaners at the various health care facilities were also the perpetrators of stigma and discrimination since they have access to the areas where persons living with HIV/AIDS are treated. She called for a more integrated health sector where all persons working in the health unit understood the importance of maintaining confidentiality.

Besides the issue of confidentiality breach, Sylvester noted that persons living with HIV/AIDS expressed that they do not feel comfortable going to the AIDS Secretariat to receive their stipend and that some have not received their money for more than three months.

She also pointed out that the area at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where HIV/AIDS infected persons have to sit and wait to collect their medication has no

privacy.

The Human Rights President also demanded that a specialist be placed at the hospital since Dr Conrad Nedd who is about to leave the state, is the only doctor attending to the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS.

She warned that while those living with the disease know their status and are trying to deal with it, there are many individuals who have not been tested and who are unaware that they were living with the disease.

Sylvester called on society to support persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Meanwhile, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the SVGHRA, Jeannie Ollivierre, who is also Co-coordinator of the United Nations Children’s Fund project said that their goal is to promote and protect the human rights of persons infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

She said that the six-month programme, which ends on December 31 would include an Education and Training Package, bi-monthly radio and TV programmes, pamphlets and an education module.

A meeting to further discuss issues with stakeholders will be held on October 17. (SG)