By Jacqueline David
KUCHING: The state-level observance of World AIDS Day will take the national-level theme ‘Fulfilling Equal Rights’ (Tunaikan Hak Saksama) this year.
It is about rights for people living with HIV and those who are at risk, the right to treatment, their right to preventive services, the right to study and others, said Dr Ruziana Mis, who is chairman of Teratak Kasih Tok Nan and also HIV Unit head at the Sarawak Health Department.
“The right to work, we do not want people who have HIV to be dismissed because they have HIV or they are not accepted to work just because they have HIV, and also they have the right to get treatment regardless of whether they are at work, health facilities, schools, they must be treated equally, there is no discrimination, and there is no stigma for people living with HIV.
“So, we cannot deny it, he or she has the right,” she said after the launching of the World AIDS Day state-level at a shopping mall here Saturday.
The event, organised by Teratak Kasih Tok Nan, in collaboration with the Kuching Divisional Health Office, and the Department of Health, was officially launched by Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, who is also the patron of the AIDS Foundation for Sabah and Sarawak.
