Stigma & Discrimination
Based on a professional experience in the HIV/AIDS field in the Middle East and North Africa region and other parts of the world, the main challenges facing the combat against the spread of HIV are stigma and discrimination.
Unless we normalize being affected by HIV and accept people living with it and Most at Risk Populations (MARPS), we will not be able to stop HIV.
Stigma and discrimination don't only affect People living with the virus or at risk negatively but also intercept seeking the testing and treatment and therefore contribute in spreading the virus widely.
People have to know that it is not acceptable in the 21st century to stigmatize and discriminate people with different health status or based on the virus or disease they are living with.
People living with HIV and MARPS are indispensable partners in the fight of HIV and they should be included in the combat and take the lead in it.
Fight the virus not people living with it!
To take part of the solution, show your support to PLHIV and fight HIV, kindly like Think Positive Page on Facebook and other social media platforms:
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Hassan Cherry