adminMercy Ngwebu
“People think the issue of discrimination against HIV and TB patients is an over discussed one, but the truth of that matter is that the evil of stigma remains rampant in our hospitals.THE fight against HIV and Tuberculosis is still being militated by various kinds of discrimination and stigma — hurdles which patients of the two ailments feel need attention — if the country’s health delivery system is to meet or exceed the expectations of the generality of these patients.
The issue was topical at a community health advocacy training recently held by SafAIDS and ARASA (AIDS Rights Alliance of Southern Africa) in Mutare.
The patients said they faced stigma whenever they try to access services at various centres across the country was as serious affront on their constitutional right to health.
HIV and Aids-related stigma and discrimination have been extensively documented among healthcare providers, with reports abound of people being tested without consent, breaches of confidentiality, labelling, gossip, verbal harassment, indifferent treatment and in rare cases, denial of treatment.
A participant who took time to narrate her own ordeal on the many challenges they are still facing, more than three decades after the discovery of the disease, had this to say:
“People think the issue of discrimination against HIV and TB patients is an over discussed one, but the truth of that matter is that the evil of stigma remains rampant in our hospitals.’’
“I am a victim of that. On several occasion when I go out to collect my medication, nurses often shout on top of their voices saying, vemapiristi huyai apa (those who want ARVs can queue here).
‘‘My status is my confidentiality and I should be the one disclosing it, not for nurses to publicise it in such an embarrassing way.”
The patients also argued that the various forms of stigma or discrimination are coupled with one or more other stigmas, particularly those associated with homosexuality, bisexuality, promiscuity and sex work.
Another participant, who refused to be named, but said had a well choreographed history of sex work, said commercial sex workers were still being treated with contempt.
“It is a fact that those in this trade are among the most vulnerable people when it comes to contracting HIV and TB. I have been in this trade and when I went to Beatrice Infectious Hospital (Nazareta) to be treated an STI, I was quickly dismissed on the basis that my partner must accompany me. Given the nature of the trade, where was I expected to trace the footprints of that “partner”. What if I had met that “partner” when I was drunk or had sexual encounters with more than one man?”
“Access to health care is my right and it should not be infringed on the basis that I should bring some partner to hospital.
‘‘Why should the availability of the male partner be used as a barometer which nurses at public hospitals use to treat or not treat me?
‘‘People in this profession are not getting health care that they are constitutionally entitled to.
‘‘Their rights are being trampled upon due to the stigma by service providers. Most of the times, people will be suffering from treatable ailments but the thought of being discriminated against prevents them from seeking early life interventions.
‘‘In most cases people die from a condition that could have been halted had they been allowed access to health care,” she said.
Since the detection the virus, the twin evils of stigma and discrimination has been identified as the major obstacle in attempts to eradicate it.
Other various kinds and forms of stigma include ostracism, rejection, discrimination and avoidance of those infected the disease, compulsory testing, lack of confidentiality, violence against HIV infected individuals or those perceived to be infected, quarantining of HIV and TB those infected and in some cases, the loss of property rights when a spouse dies.
Effectively addressing stigma removes what still stand as a roadblock to concerted action, whether at local, community, national or global level. The elimination of stigma and discrimination related to HIV and Aids will go a long way helping Zimbabwe to reach key targets for the Millennium Development Goal 6.
Addressing these issues will also help protect and promote human rights, foster respect for HIV and TB patients and other affected groups, thereby reducing the transmission of the virus.
Online Reporter