UN Fight Against AIDS Continues. Stigma Must Be Broken.

February 9, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

It was my distinct honour to have interacted with the United Nations Country Director for Jamaica recently Mrs. Manoela Manova.  She shared with me her fascinating work in trying to stem the spread of HIV in Jamaica.  The UNAIDS organization has been at the forefront of trying to educate persons on getting to know their status, get tested,  treated and  to eliminate the stigma that appears to be associated with Aids.  It is an ongoing task. We wish the UN well and pledge to help in any way we can to get the word out that to discriminate has to be a human rights issue. None of deserve to be stigmatize because of having contracted the HIV virus that could lead to fully blown AIDS if it goes untreated.

Workplace

Workplace discrimination has been a big hurdle to cross over many years. Many employers may not want to admit that they would not employ someone who is HIV positive. Even when they have been told that HIV, even if so diagnosed, does not render the prospective employee unemployable as the virus is not transmitted from speaking to someone who is infected …  not in such a manner. It is contagious or transmitted only during sexual intrrcourse and with the mixing of body fluids between individuals in various other forms. For example by the sharing of needles as has been known to occur in the case of drug injection sessions … to name one common and possible source.  There are many myths to overcome as we examine this vexed issue of HIV which left untreated, as stated above, can develop into fully blown AIDS..

Death Sentence

If one gets tested early and diagnosed accurately, and treatment starts immediately, the chances of living a long and productive life is greatly enhanced. Retroviral drugs have proven to be quite effective in treating HIV positive patients.

Condom Use

Unprotected sex is a big risk factor to getting the HIV virus.  Public education has been good, but too much cannot hurt.  Stick to one faithful partner.  Do not use needles from someone else.  Get early and regular testing for the virus. Always know your HIV status. Take your medication as prescribed every time for life.  Keep informed with new research data. The scientific community is doing work constantly and new drugs are being developed as better knowledge has been uncovered.  Funding for research has never stopped. It is not a static area of human scientific development. It may,  if not already been discovered that the number of tablets for example may have been reduced to one or two per dose daily.  We are speculating and would want to get better facts if we are not on the right track.

Interview

In this exclusive interview with Country Director Manoela Manova she explained as follows:

“The stigma associated with the HIV virus can drive suspects away from being treated. To the extent that this stgma could cause persons who having contracted the disease to go underground and refuse to get treated.  This will have the negative effect of spreading the disease further.  This could be in an exponential way.

Conclusion

We will bring you more details on this worthwhile initiative.  Life is precious and should be preserved. We are committed to public education on HIV a d AIDS.  Stigma cannot be allowed to detail plans to pronlong life of those infected.  A public private partnership will be the way to go.  We as a media will help when approached.  This is our start.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie has a keen interest in Human Rights and health related issues. AIDS is one such area.  He is a veteran journalist and has International exposure.