From wearing a red ribbon to speaking out in your workplace, taking part in a challenge or sharing your own story, this year’s World AIDS Day campaign shows how everyone can play their part in eliminating stigma, and creating a fairer society for all.
World AIDS Day: Understanding and embracing this segment of society Eliminating the stigma of AIDS
“You never know their stories, and when you understand some of them, it is actually quite sad.”
As an altruistic person who has given so much of herself to help a society that is shunned due to a certain stigma, Malaysian AIDS Council EXCO member Dr Yuwana Podin have done volunteer work within the community for over 20 years.
Looking upon the horizon, Dr Yuwana said somberly, “You never know their stories, and when you understand some of them, it is actually quite sad,” when sharing about the discrimination and stigmatisation faced by HIV patients.
Graduated as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology, Dr Yuwana has met numerous HIV patients who struggle with prejudice. Due to that, many have had problems with staying on treatment, searching for stable jobs, and living within societies.
“Many are afraid. Not because they don’t want to, but because they always feel that they’re being judged.”
When the first AIDS case was first reported in Malaysia in 1986, it became a national health concern till this day. The current available treatment is able to prolong lives and yet, some of the key population feel ashamed to come out to seek treatment for fear of stigma.
In sharing her opinion, Dr Yuwana recalled back when she first started, the discrimination was worse. However, in the context of Kuching, Sarawak, acceptance of the key population is better.
“When meeting them, I was compelled to help them — until today. It has been my passion because the people I work with and the issues we are tackling aren’t easy. There are always many reasons behind a decision; we never know the real story,” she said.
World AIDS Day 2024
Each year on December 1, the world celebrates World AIDS Day. This year, the focus is on the theme ‘Take the rights path,’ emphasising on the protection of the human rights for the key population with HIV/AIDS.
Sharing further, global health advocate, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) believes that to end the disease, it requires reach and engagement for those living with, at risk for, or affected by HIV.
By discriminating against and stigmatising these key populations, UNAIDS believes that it hinders proper prevention, testing, treatment, and care. So do laws, policies, and practices that hinder the work of people who are providing vital HIV services for affected communities or who are advocating for reforms.
“The upholding of everyone’s human rights is an essential underpinning of an effective HIV response. This World AIDS Day is a call to action to protect everyone’s health by protecting everyone’s rights.”
In explaining the theme further, Dr Yuwana commended Malaysia for having a good response to treatment of HIV/AIDS, and this progress includes providing access to medication and its types, which is much better than before.
However, there is still much to improve, she exclaimed.
“The perspective for this year’s theme is on human rights and the key populations that have been trampled upon. From there, it has actually affected public health and eventually affected the progress that we have. Sometimes, in dealing with this situation, it’s two steps forward, four steps backward for certain things.”
Understanding respective rights
“Because we are born with these rights.” To elaborate, Dr Yuwana talks about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “It’s not something that people give to us. So the moment we are born as a human being on planet earth, we have that right.”
In giving an example, Dr Yuwana revealed that there are times when a human right is trampled upon without realisation. A simple mere ‘gossip’ about a person living with HIV/AIDS is enough to discourage them from seeking prevention and treatment.
“The stigmatisation and discrimination come from people’s assumptions and moralistic perspectives of things. People often asked, How did someone get it? But why is it important to put blame on someone for them getting it? Nobody wants to get sick.”
“So, rights to live with dignity despite the fact they’re HIV positive. They have the right to live without being discriminated against, punished, or judged for contracting the virus. They also have the right to confidentiality and privacy.”
Aside from fear to seek treatment, the mental health of an HIV patient can also be affected as the judgement affects their self-worth.
Addressing the issue
One of the key points Dr Yuwana has always reminded people is the concept of U=U, undetectable HIV equals to an untransmittable virus. By understanding that with treatment, it can lead to the virus being untransmittable. Therefore, there is still much awareness needed for people to understand that. Furthermore, treatment and care can also allow women to give birth to healthy babies and for serodiscordant couples (one HIV positive partner and one negative partner) to conceive an offspring.
Although the stigmatisation has seen a significant improvement, it still exists, even within the healthcare setting. To tackle the issue, the Ministry of Health has announced under its National Strategic Plan for Ending AIDS for 2016-2030, to educate the health sector to reduce judgement against those with HIV, as they are the first line of care, treatment, and support services.
Treatment and care in Malaysia
Each year, the government will allocate funding for HIV prevention works nationwide. The government is also working closely with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Sarawak AIDS Council Society (SACS). By bridging the gap, it can help reduce the transmission of HIV as well as other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Sharing on the treatment and care, Dr Yuwana said the government has subsidised the treatment for first-line defence for HIV treatment. Furthermore, there are also treatments given to prevent HIV for high-risk individuals, such as babies from HIV positive mothers.
Recently, SACS had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SOCSO to help people living with HIV to seek employment or to have a skill. With all these policies and opportunities available for patients, Dr Yuwana expressed gratitude that people living with HIV can at least live a more meaningful life while contributing to the country’s economy, compared to years before.
For those who wants to reach out to SACS, can visit their office at La Promenade Mall, Kota Samarahan, or contact the team at 019-3723173.
