Yemen

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(2008-12-04)  AIDS patients speak of their agony

YemenObserver// Who said AIDS is the end of life- rather it can be seen as a turning point for patients, according to M.K, one of 60 patients who attended a workshop held by the UNDP for those suffering from AIDS. He did not hesitate to be asked questions by others and advise them about the things they should or should not eat.

The aim of such workshop is to raise awareness among the patients themselves." Training and motivating participants in establishing and leading groups of self-support, enhancing the abilities of participants in the field of psychological and social support and aid were also the aim of the workshop," said Dr. Fuad al-Sabri HIVI/ADIS project management officer of UNDP, Yemen.

Patients should also be conscious about how to use medicine- for instance pregnant women must know about using medicine, added al-Sabri. He said nutrition is very important for AIDS patients.

Although AIDS is no more contagious than any other disease, its patients suffer both social and medical discrimination, and that is not only is that unethical, but it could also increase the spread of the disease. The fact that AIDS is no more contagious than any other disease makes the reasons behind people’s fear of disease totally illogical. All people know is that it is a deadly virus, but there is a lot more to know about AIDS than this.

People must be more educated about this virus and how it may be transmitted in order to protect themselves, and avoid the prevalent fear of AIDS patients. AIDS, unlike many diseases, is not transmitted by shaking hands, or through coughs, or by swimming in the same pool with an HIV positive. "Many people think that the transmission of AIDS comes from illegal sexual relationships, but this is not enough. People should know there are other ways to transmit AIDS such as through blood," pointed out al-Sabri.

HIV patients suffer a lot of discrimination from the public at large, and are the recipients of harsh attitudes and maltreatment. They are humans who are still privy to some rights. Once they are labeled as AIDS patients, they lose their jobs, rented apartments, and many other social services; in addition, they become rejected by family circles and friends, and are even expelled from schools or universities. Unfortunately, these changes don’t only affect the patients but they expand to further affect their children’s lives, if there are any. "This is not fair. AIDS is just like any other disease. If people know that a person is suffering from AIDS, they will reject his presence. He will be fired from his job and his neighbor will not accept him to live in the same place with them," added al- Sabri.

"This workshop allows patients to better integrate into the society. First, the patient thinks that he is the only one in Yemen and does not talk to others and avoids them. But during this workshop, which consisted of 60 Yemeni patients, they got to know each other and share their experience," stated al-Sabri.

Last Modified on 2008-12-04