Address HIV Stigma

People living with HIV/AIDS could live an active life through regular medication, a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet. There are many instances of people having HIV/ AIDS who have been living a normal life despite being infected. But there are also people living with HIV who have to share a heart-wrenching story of discrimination they faced. ‘Take the right path: My health my right’ is the slogan of 37th World AIDS Day, which was marked the other day. The day serves as an opportunity to recognise the advancement made in combating HIV/AIDS and showing support for the infected individuals, raise awareness, and honour those who have lost their lives to the disease.  

HIV/AIDS is still a public health challenge and a barrier to the attainment of sustainable human development. People still do not have equitable access to HIV treatment. Therefore, addressing the inequalities that hamper progress in eradicating HIV/AIDS is very important. Nepal has made tangible progress in the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS. In Nepal, the HIV infection rate in 2023 declined by 91 per cent compared to that figure in 2000. As per the statistics of the National AIDS and STI Control Centre, 30,300 people across the country are estimated to have been infected with HIV/AIDS as of the end of 2022, with 457 new infections reported in 2023. 

The Health Ministry provides antiretroviral therapy free of cost to all people living with HIV. Currently 25,728 people are receiving Anti-Retroviral Treatment. There are 92 operating sites and 46 ART dispensing centres throughout Nepal. Speaking at the launching of the 'Human Rights Situation Study Report 2081 BS of HIV/AIDS-infected Citizens' organised by the National Human Rights Commission on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel said that awareness campaign is necessary for HIV AIDS control as infected people are being discriminated in the society. 

While progress in medical research, better treatment opportunities and increased awareness have helped in combating HIV/AIDS, eliminating stigma and discrimination associated with the disease still remains a challenge. There has been phenomenal progress in reducing the HIV infection rate but social stigma attached to the disease has not been reduced as expected. Still, people infected with HIV/AIDS continue to be ostracised. It is often difficult to admit HIV-infected children to school, revealing their HIV status. Those living with HIV refrain from disclosing their infection to family and society due to the fear of being outcast by the community. 

 Because of social stigma, people are hesitant to seek medical treatment, and often discontinue their medication. There still are instances of HIV-infected people being fired from jobs on different pretexts. Thus, we need to raise awareness about the disease to give knowledge about the transmission and preventive measures to be taken.  Likewise, raising awareness is very important to reduce the stigma and misconception attached to the disease and promote acceptance to create a more compassionate and supportive society where people with HIV/AIDS can live with dignity.