http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615365
Because HIV/AIDS is associated with behaviors that may be considered socially unacceptable by many people, HIV infection is widely stigmatized. People living with the virus are frequently subject to discrimination and human rights abuses: many have been thrown out of jobs and homes, rejected by family and friends, and some have even been killed. Together, stigma and discrimination constitute one of the greatest barriers in dealing effectively with the epidemic. They discourage governments from acknowledging or taking timely action against AIDS. They deter individuals from finding out about their HIV status. And they inhibit those who know they are infected from sharing their diagnosis and taking action to protect others and from seeking treatment and care for themselves. Experience teaches that a strong Network of people living with HIV/AIDS that affords mutual support and a voice at local and national levels is particularly effective in tackling stigma. There is a need to have a special budget from Federal Government for Network of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria both at the National, State and local government level Moreover, the presence of treatment makes this task easier too: where there is hope, people are less afraid of AIDS; they are more willing to be tested for HIV, to disclose their status, and to seek care if necessary. Let us think about bringing treatment to the grass root, let us think of upgrading the health facilities located at the rural area.]]> Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:13:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615365 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615329
PLWHA in rural areas are experiencing increasingly limited access to antiretroviral drugs. People in the rural areas also tend to be more marginalized than those in urban locations. Although most of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country who need antiretroviral access live in rural areas, three-quarters of PLWHA taking the drugs are from urban areas.

PLWHA in rural areas often rely on herbal remedies due to lack of correct information and access to treatment. PLWHA living in the rural area who need antiretroviral find themselves in a quandary because off the distance to urban city and levels of income for a rural household tend to be low, The financial costs associated with antiretroviral go beyond the price of the drugs, the high cost of transportation to health centers means that many low-income PLWHA who need ARV, often take antiretroviral infrequently or not at all.

In addition, stigma and discrimination often prevent people from receiving HIV test or accessing treatment in the rural area. Young people particularly are vulnerable to the virus because they sometimes become sexually active at a young age and are not empowered to make decisions because of a rigidly social structure in the rural area.

There is much need for social structures to impart information to poor rural people so that they know their rights as far as getting tested and counseled. There is need to establish treatment centers in the rural area so that it will be accessible for rural communities. How can we achieve 100% adherence if PLWHA travels for more than two hours to access treatment? Some herbal homes and private hospitals are taking advantage of that on PLWHA in the rural area

NEPWHAN have done well by straightening support groups of PLWHA through capacity building, Office equipment, introduction Income generating activities (IGA) etc. to response to the numerous challenges PLWHA are facing from that area. This has gone a long way to reduce the burden of transportation to treatment centers among PLWHA in that area. But how many PLWHA can this IGA support? More needs to be done and proper decentralizations of treatment centers are urgent need.
]]> Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:48:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615329 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615327
Global AIDS numbers have dropped dramatically, but that is only half the battle won. Stigma towards HIV-positive Person needs to be countered if the threat of AIDS is to be overcome.

An Indian soldier discovers he is HIV-positive and is forced to deal with the termination of his services. An HIV-positive pregnant woman from West Bengal has a sticker plastered on her forehead by hospital staff; she is isolated in the ward and refused the urgent medical attention she needed. A couple is stoned, branded outcast by there community because they are HIV-positive. A HIV-positive woman aborts her own baby because hospital staff refuses to assist her. This intense stigma can be painful to endure.

The good news is that the number of people contracting HIV infection is dropping, worldwide. A few months ago, UNAIDS, releases its AIDS Epidemic Update for 2007, said new data show global HIV prevalence (the percentage of people living with HIV) has leveled off and the number of new infections has fallen, in part as a result of the impact of HIV programme.

Nigeria now ranks second among nations with the largest number of people living with HIV (www.globalhealth.org). Taking the optimistic arithmetic apart, the experiences of ordinary people living with HIV tell another story. Stigma and not surveillance, is the biggest problem.

A 25-year-old boy from Obosi Anambra State commits suicide to escape the stigma piled on, because of improper counseling during testing. Private hospitals and laboratories pose a big challenge in compacting HIV/AIDS related Stigma in the rural area of Nigeria. Not only that some of them do not have up to date equipment in diagnosis, they are lacking information about HIV/AIDS where by causing psychological trauma to any body that passes through them which might result to suicide mission.

Stigma is hard to track and its impact even harder to measure. There is a need to generated data on stigma by including surveys on HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Overall acceptance measured through indicators like willingness to care for a positive person or accept a positive person, even associate with positive person is also needed.


Those vulnerable to and are experiencing social stigma and discrimination will be puzzled if they were told that awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS is higher than before. Awareness is not translating into tolerance or a shedding of stigma.

Protection against HIV and preventing its spread is certainly a key message, but protection using stigma and alienation will go nowhere. It is always challenging to fight for legislation and better policy outcomes. Nigeria is working on a law against discrimination of HIV-positive person. But laws and policies cannot be substitutes for a humane approach.
]]> Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:40:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615327 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615323 Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:24:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615323 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615321
Health Link Organization with support from (NEPWHAN)/ARFH/Global Fund project, organized community dialogue at Ekwulobia Community Hall, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State. The community dialogue meeting under the NEPWHAN/ARFH/Global Fund project, was organized and carried out at Omogho Community due to their low level or lack of comprehension on HIV/AIDS in that area.

Objectives of the dialogue:
•To sensitize community members and gatekeepers on HIV and AIDS
•To identify and address issues that fuel stigma and discrimination against PLWHA and PABA in the community
•To identify interventions that will help to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLWHA and PABA in the community
•To establish partnership between community and PLWHA in the fight against stigma and discrimination.]]> Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:15:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/615321 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/361299
Research shows that almost 90 per cent of disabled women experience sexual abuse, exploitation and violence from the very people who are supposed to be helping them - care-givers, close relatives and family members. Sexual partners are also often abusive them because people with disability feel they have fewer chances of a relationship, they tend to stay with a partner even if he is violent or takes many other partners.
What is acceptable in the community is for a disabled person to marry another disabled person so that together they share their curse", says a disabled local counselor in Uganda . To add to the already harrowing problems of discrimination and abuse in sexual matters comes the risk of HIV and AIDS. If you are raped, or have little choice in sexual partners, or have no power in a relationship - which is the experience of huge numbers of people with disability - you run a greatly increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection including HIV.

Abusers may also deludedly believe the myth that sex with disabled women cures AIDS, or perhaps think that disabled women don't have sex and therefore will not be infected with HIV. Disabled people are less likely than others to be informed about HIV and AIDS, even in societies such as Nigeria where public information campaigns are widespread. Because they are seen as unlikely to have sex they often miss out on traditional sex education; because they are often illiterate, they may not be able to read publicity material; because they are often poor they may lack access to (or may be unable to hear or watch) radio and TV. It's hard enough for men; a disabled man approached a village health team for a packet of condoms and was asked, "What do you want to do with them? Has someone sent you for them?" Rather than risk further mockery and humiliation, the man chose to do without a condom. The difficulty experienced by a man in such circumstances can usually be multiplied many times for a woman. If someone with a disability becomes HIV-positive, discrimination triples. Disabled women living with HIV face double discrimination, First and foremost as women, secondly as women with disabilities. It is still worse if a woman has disability and is HIV positive. This means this person is being discriminated against three times over HIV and AIDS organisation are rarely willing to work with people with disabilities. There is no readily available information in Braille or sign language at Voluntary Testing Centers. No provision is made for the blind to read the instructions on condoms. To avoid yet further hostility, people with disabilities who also have AIDS frequently avoid getting treatment, including antiretroviral (ARV). A disable girl told me that she choose to suffer and die quietly than come out and expose herself to humiliation and stigma. People with disabilities were some times excluded from the country's national HIV/AIDS policy, reinforcing the perception that they were social misfits. There is need for new approach. It is a bleak picture, and of enormous importance, both for the individuals concerned but also for international efforts to halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS. Given that an estimated 10 per cent of the world's citizens are disabled, the AIDS crisis cannot be addressed successfully unless individuals with disability are routinely included in all AIDS outreach efforts.]]> Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:34:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/361299 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/347645
I never know that we have such a wonderful, vibrant and active young people in this E- forum that can devote their time energy and resources to talk about NYNETHA issues.

Too many young people die simply for lack of access to the knowledge that can save their lives. This knowledge exists; however it remains inaccessible to those who need it the most. Access to health information is an integral part of all health systems because it can improve people's health.

HIV/AIDS is trying to keep its promise by destroying our economy, increasing the number of orphan and vulnerable children in the country, bringing poverty to our Country, kill our young people, keep our young people out off school, broken homes, taking our love ones from us.
We need to ask ourselves these questions, are we keeping the promise, the promise of care and support PLWHA, the promise of greater involvement of PLWHA, in the planning, implementation and monitoring of HIV/AIDS activities, the promise of accountability, the promise of an HIV/AIDS free society and sustainable development. This and other questions we need to ask ourselves individually as we are in another year of HIV promise. It is a challenge to all of us to become more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and its related promises. The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria is increasing on young people and woman.
Some of us, where known and heard only in internet but when you come to their community and grassroots where HIV is keeping its promise they are doing noting. Everybody wants to be heard and known because NYNETHA election is at hand. But since we started this forum, they have not raised any issue, suggestions or shared any best practices for others to emulate. But today every body wants to be noticed ad heard just because of election.
The challenges that we young people are facing today are formidable, over 500 million people ages between 15 and 24 are living below the poverty line (less than $2.00 per day). 6,000 young people are infected with HIV daily And 1,500 women most of whom under 24 years die everyday as a result of Early pregnancy or childbirth World Population Report 2005 indicates That almost a quarter of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS are young People, yet they represent half of all new HIV infection cases. The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria is about 4.4% translating to over 3.5 million people. The highest rate (5.6%) of infection is among young people aged 20-29 years. Despite progress in expanding prevention and treatment in the country, only 20% of males and 10 % of females between the ages 14 -25 can correctly identify ways of preventing HIV transmission. 1,200 young people in Nigeria got infected with HIV every day, which shows that one person per minute. World Population Report 2005 indicates Youth even though are important segment of our society lack the necessary information, skills and services that are needed to prevent themselves from contracting HIV. Youth are critical stakeholders in development processes and in the control of HIV/AIDS, we need to be heard and support. My dear brothers and sister, HIV and AIDS is one of the greatest threats to the welfare of Nigerian youths today, if we start to think about these issues and there solution then, this will start to break down the stigma and discrimination barriers that exist, and also provide a way for HIV/AIDS free society which is our vision
]]> Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:40:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/347645 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/313079
Global AIDS numbers have dropped dramatically, but that is only half the battle won. Stigma towards HIV-positive Person needs to be countered if the threat of AIDS is to be overcome.

An Indian soldier discovers he is HIV-positive and is forced to deal with the termination of his services. An HIV-positive pregnant woman from West Bengal has a sticker plastered on her forehead by hospital staff; she is isolated in the ward and refused the urgent medical attention she needed. A couple is stoned, branded outcast by there community because they are HIV-positive. A HIV-positive woman aborts her own baby because hospital staff refuses to assist her. This intense stigma can be painful to endure.

The good news is that the number of people contracting HIV infection is dropping, worldwide. A few months ago, UNAIDS, releases its AIDS Epidemic Update for 2007, said new data show global HIV prevalence (the percentage of people living with HIV) has leveled off and the number of new infections has fallen, in part as a result of the impact of HIV programme.

Nigeria now ranks second among nations with the largest number of people living with HIV (www.globalhealth.org). Taking the optimistic arithmetic apart, the experiences of ordinary people living with HIV tell another story. Stigma and not surveillance, is the biggest problem.

A 25-year-old boy from Obosi Anambra State commits suicide to escape the stigma piled on, because of in proper counseling during testing. Private hospitals and laboratories pose a big challenge in compacting HIV/AIDS related Stigma in the rural area of Nigeria. Not only that some of them do not have up to date equipment in diagnosis, they are lacking information about HIV/AIDS where by causing psychological trauma to any body that passes through them which might result to suicide mission.

Stigma is hard to track and its impact even harder to measure. There is a need to generated data on stigma by including surveys on HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Overall acceptance measured through indicators like willingness to care for a positive person or accept a positive person, even associate with positive person is also needed.

Those vulnerable to and are experiencing social stigma and discrimination will be puzzled if they were told that awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS is higher than before. Awareness is not translating into tolerance or a shedding of stigma.
Protection against HIV and preventing its spread is certainly a key message, but protection using stigma and alienation will go nowhere. It is always challenging to fight for legislation and better policy outcomes. Nigeria is working on a law against discrimination of HIV-positive person. But laws and policies cannot be substitutes for a humane approach.
]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:46:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/313079 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/313077
Since the very early days of HIV, PLWHA have faced stigma and discrimination. Sometimes this is due to lack of information - flawed perceptions of risk based on ignorance of the fact that HIV is hard to catch, apart from a handful of specific - and obvious - routes of transmission.
Sadly, stigma is more than simply paucity of knowledge. Society inevitably constructs hierarchies, and unpopular illnesses like HIV provide useful markers indicating where people should be placed on the hierarchy.
All societies need to have one illness which becomes identified with evil, attaching blame to its victims. This tendency seems locked into our DNA, and is as true now as it was when people with leprosy - and leper colonies - were widespread.
Stigma is therefore founded on a fundamental social process, and has far-reaching effects - not only do PLWHA feel dirty, ashamed and guilty, but stigma has the potential to damage public-health initiatives. If affected person fear stigma, they are much less willing to attend health-centers for testing or treatment. Instead, they are often forced to inhabit a world of denial and paranoia.
The theme of World AIDS Day in 2007 is leadership. What should the priorities be in the next period in the context of HIV stigma?
First, there must be a concerted attempt to confront public discourse around HIV. Stigma - as a social product - lives and thrives within discourse.
Second, political leaders must publicly take a stand against HIV stigma, and consider the impact of public policies on attitudes. The Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern, for example, personally launched the "stamp out stigma" campaign in the country in December 2006. With such explicit government support, and in collaboration with a range of non-governmental organizations, the campaign expects to have a significant impact on raising the profile of HIV in Ireland, and reducing negative responses to affected people.
Less helpful actions are the proposed policies of the US, China and more recently Australia in refusing entry to PLWHA, suggesting immigration policy may increasingly be influenced not just by fear of terror, but also of infection. In addition, the reluctance of senior politicians in some African countries to clarify issues around HIV and AIDS, and by implication the value of testing and treatment, sends confusing and harmful messages to a populace struggling to cope with communities devastated by HIV.
Third, all agencies engaged with HIV must appreciate that many of their interventions are predicated on a lessening of HIV stigma. The G8 pledge in 2005 aiming for universal access to HIV care and treatment for all by 2010 - also endorsed by UN member states - was clearly a significant development. But if affected people are too afraid to be tested or attend for treatment, then the goal will surely remain aspirational. Adequate funding must be made available for initiatives to address social, as well as physical, components of HIV.
HIV represents a conflation of pathology and social process, and in the final analysis, perhaps the responsibility for confronting stigma starts with ourselves. We readily categorize others according to our own interpretation of acceptability. On a personal level, the Hobbesian notion of an instinctive drive to "war against all" is never far below the surface. Once we confront our own biases, perhaps then we can better understand those of others.
World AIDS Day has come and gone, there is a need to improve awareness of local leaders and policy-makers on the multiple impacts of HIV/AIDS on our society, the economy and psychology of the elderly, let's take time to consider the effects of HIV stigma on the lived experience of people living with HIV/AIDS, and continue to demand policies and interventions from our leaders - and ourselves - that properly address its complex social features.
HIV stigma is alive and well, and as we near the beginning of the epidemic's fourth decade, many people living with HIV (PLHIV) remain marked as different - or dangerous. HIV stigma is "exceptional in its scale, its context, and its causes. Stigma hurts and imprints on the soul.
Let’s join our hand and fight stigma that surround HIV/AIDS, Let us join our hand and support People living with HIV/AIDS I our society.
]]> Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:39:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/313077 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/301863 As mention by Mr. Sheika Masudur Rahman of the UNICEF in Bangladesh, “Inequalities of age interact with the inequalities of socio-economic background, gender and sexuality to determine young people's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Although age and generation just as strongly influence the vulnerability of young men, not only those who sell or trade sex, but also those who engage in sexual activity as a means of gaining adult status and the privileges it offers.”
Teenage Girls are at particular risk. In some of the worst-affected countries of Africa, adolescent girls, aged 15 to 24, are infected at rates as much as seven times higher than boys. The disproportionate impact is related to widespread sexual violence, coercion, and discrimination against girls, making it extremely difficult for them to protect themselves or to negotiate safer sex. Adolescent girls are also biologically more vulnerable to HIV transmission because of the immaturity of their reproductive tracts and the much higher rates of HIV/AIDS transmission from males to females. Further, their risk of HIV infection greatly increases when other STIs are present.
Girls who are orphaned or from AIDS-affected families are also more susceptible to be lured into commercial sex work; in some regions, including Southeast Asia, girls are also trafficked for the sex trade. In many AIDS-affected countries, including Thailand, men are seeking younger and younger sex workers in the hope that they will be HIV-negative. Sex workers around the world have dramatically higher HIV prevalence than the rest of the population. UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, has estimated that as many as 50 percent of sex workers in Kenya were HIV-positive; 45 percent in Guyana; and 50 percent in Myanmar (Burma). The stigma and illegality associated with sex work make it difficult for these young women to seek treatment, to report abuses, or to negotiate condom use. As the epidemic penetrates Russia and China, new prevention strategies are essential to target the high-risk groups of female sex workers and intravenous drug users (IDUs).
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV are most common among young people aged 15-24 and it has been estimated that half of all HIV infections worldwide have occurred among people aged less than 25 years. In some developing countries, up to 60% of all new HIV infections occur among 15-24 year-olds. (WHO)
Gender discrimination, poor statues of women, sexuality and age are important factors structuring such vulnerability. Unequal power relations between women and men, for example, may render young women especially vulnerable to coerced or unwanted sex, and can also influence the capacity of young women to influence when, where and how sexual relations occur. Recent research in North region’s three districts in Bangladesh by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation has shown that while provide HIV information with discussions of safe-sex and gender issue may be discouraged for young girls and women because of the ordinary belief that to inform them about sexuality and safe-sex is to encourage sexual activity. Even though that for fear of encouraging sexual activity, mothers deny imperative information about sexual-live, safe sex, reproductive health information from their daughters.
AIDS Researcher Mr. Anirudha Alam said, “There are some forms of risky behavior that directly makes women vulnerable to HIV/AIDS in the developing countries like Bangladesh. It should be cornerstone of life to get rid of risky behavior through improving living standard any how. For the greater involvement of vulnerable women in every aspect of curbing epidemic, they have to be able to respond to the epidemic in a meaningful manner.”
]]> Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:10:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/301863 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/293427
Moreover, it is true that social factors contribute to further vulnerability of HIV/AIDS among women. The traditional attitudes which place women in a sub-ordinate position to men, low level of socio-economic status and education, and prevailing norms and culture are significantly responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS in low- and middle-income countries.

The widespread gender inequality and low status of women in the society restricts their ability to negotiate safer sex or to refuse sex. Domestic violence further puts the reproductive lives of many women in a difficult situation.

According to UNAIDS Report 2006, an estimated 38.6 million people worldwide were living with HIV at the end of 2005. An estimated 4.1 million became newly infected with HIV and an estimated 2.8 million lost their lives due to AIDS.

Overall, the HIV prevalence rate is believed to have peaked in the late 1990s and to have stabilized subsequently, notwithstanding increasing incidence in several countries. The 15-49 age groups is the most affected, which indicates a huge loss of human resource and social capital globally.

The first cases of AIDS were reported in Nigeria in 1986. However, however, it is estimated that an estimated 3 million people are living with the virus in Nigeria .

The most serious aspects of HIV/AIDS are increasing social discrimination and stigma in the rural communities. Despite several efforts of community-based HIV/AIDS prevention programme, people living with HIV/AIDS still face several challenges in accessing health care and social services.

Most often, the infected and affected families are not accepted in the communities. They are discriminated in all aspects of social life, and many people have negative attitude towards the people living with HIV/AIDS especially in the rural Community.

Therefore, rural community-based HIV/AIDS prevention programme that focus on capacity building of rural community groups, social organizations and vulnerable populations are important. Massive awareness about HIV/AIDS is needed to reduce the social stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS in the rural communities.

Information, education and communication services are instrumental in changing the behaviour of the people to live safe and healthy lives. More importantly, risks related to HIV transmission can be significantly reduced by informing and educating the people about the modes of HIV transmission and preventive measures.

Apart from the prevention programmes, access to care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS is an urgent priority in the rural Community of eastern Nigeria . It is important to create a supportive environment in the families, communities and workplace where infected people and affected families can comfortably lead their lives.
This year's World AIDS Day that focused on Leadership provided an important opportunity for Leaders worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
it also aimed at generating wider public awareness of the problem of AIDS worldwide. It importantly urges united efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS globally. Let's hope that there will be accelerated momentum in the fight against HIV/AIDS and involvement of PLWHA in decision making especially in rural Communities.
]]> Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:47:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/293427 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/283699

ADDIS ABABA, Selam Tesfaye was born and raised in Mekele, northern Ethiopia. At the age of 13 she was raped by her father, who also infected her with HIV. This is her story.

"When my parents divorced I was very little and I had to stay with my mother and my two sisters. We were living a good life until my mother died and we had to move to our aunt's house. My father then came to my aunt and said we should all move back with him. That was when my life turned upside down.

"One night I had a stomach-ache and went to my father for help. He gave me an injection, saying that it would relieve the pain. Shortly
Afterwards I felt dizzy and become unconscious. The next day I woke up very sick and when I tried to go to the bathroom to urinate discovered that I had been raped.

"My father also openly admitted that he raped me. I ran away from home and went back to my aunt, but I was too shy and ashamed to tell her what my father had done to me. She said I should go back to my father because she was worried that he would accuse her of abduction.

"I was forced to go back to my father's house, and later found out that my older sister has been continuously raped by my father and had even aborted three times.

"That was when I decided to break this cycle of abuse in our family and spoke boldly to the police about what my father did. He was put in prison for a brief period and released on bail.

"After he was released, news of his HIV status reached me, but I could not confirm the story as I had moved in with my aunt again. I was not aware of my own HIV status until I had a disagreement with my cousin and she said that I had AIDS. I was devastated, because even if I was aware that my father had the virus, I did not know that he had given it to me.
"After I confirmed I had the virus, I isolated myself from the family and friends. My aunt gave me a separate plate to use for food; nobody even touched the food I ate or the clothes I wore for fear of the virus. My aunt accused me of promiscuity, as if I slept around to get the disease.
"The conflict at home worsened when I went on national television and told my story about the virus, to teach young people. My aunt became violent because I had not consulted her about my decision in advance; I left her house and started living alone.
"Currently, an NGO that is helping people with HIV is providing me with financial and emotional support. I am now at peace with myself and with the virus; I have come into contact with male and female friends who are kind and supportive."

Her experience replicates those of millions of girls across many parts of the world. Unfortunately, rather than take measures to help cope with the trauma of rape and HIV infection, they are stigmatized by the people and the system that left them vulnerable in the first place.
]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:25:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/283699 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/283693 The media needs to do more to tackle the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS in the rural parts of Nigeria. HIV intervention and media's coverage of HIV/AIDS tends to focus on urban area of the country without minding what the Virus is doing in the villages and the effect of the disease has on vulnerable and helpless people that reside in the rural area of our society and also our agriculture because food production is from this rural populace.
I believe that media can help change this situation by presenting facts about the disease and its effect in our rural communities, by featuring stories of people living with HIV/AIDS in the rural area and highlighting support services also available in these communities.
Thousands of people are dying in the rural area of Nigeria without knowing the cause of there death. Majority of the cases where believe that they die of poising. 90% of people living in the rural area did not know there status, because they did not have access to VCT those who have access to VCT did not have access to treatment where by increasing stigma and discrimination.
It is crucial that we tackle HIV stigma, which impacts on the lives of people living with HIV, was very deplorable in the rural area and prevents people from coming forward to be tested. The media can play a vital role in presenting accurate information about HIV and challenging discrimination against those living with it in the rural area.
I also call on development partners, donor agencies, and organised private sector, politicians and decision makers to start encouraging organisations working in the rural area.
As part of the awareness campaign, care and support, Health Link Organization, a support group of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ekwulobia Aguata L.G.A., Anambra State with support from NEPWHAN, is delivering adherence treatment counselling, nutritional support, community dialogue on stigma reduction and training to PLWHA, PABA and O.VC.

I wish to use this opportunity to thank NEPWHAN and ARFH for this wonderful opportunity giving to health Link Organization Ekwulobia and other support group of people living with HIV/AIDS in the rural Community to prove what they can do in HIV interventions under global fund project Round 5.Lives of PLWHA where gradually improving trough this grass root intervention.

]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2007 06:35:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/283693 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/238133
After twelve years of living with HIV, I'm only realizing now that I am one of the few people to count themselves lucky due to the support, care and love I received from my family and friends

A man, die of AIDS after the family abandoned him at the hospital
The man tested positive to HIV 12 at Aba, Abia State in the year 2006 and went on to take herbal concoction, after taking herbal concoction for more than six months, He became very sick and was referred to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi (NAUTH) from there he was referred to join Support Group of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Ekwulobia (Health Link Organization). The man joined the group and was placed on ARV after undergoing series of test not knowing that the Herbal concoction he took in the past has destroyed his body system.
His illness got worsens and his family abandoned him to die since they are aware of his status. His elder sister took him to her family where she cared for him for one week and decides taking him back to their parents who refused to accept him back.

With financial assistance and commitment of Health Link Organization, he was admitted in a private hospital at Ekwulobia. None of the family members cared to look after him even while he was in the hospital. The doctor discharged him and he died two days after he was discharged from the hospital. When he was discharged, the family members do not want to touch him. It was the Coordinator of Health Link Organization and some members of the Organization that came and assists him to enter the vehicle.

What shall we say, what hope is there for the future of people living with HIV in the rural communities? Life with HIV can be as normal as life without HIV. We all have a role to play in spreading the word. Stigma and discrimination pose major barriers to controlling the spread of HIV in the rural area. There is acceptance of the virus at the highest level in urban cities, lots needs to be done to make it (the disease) acceptable in the society especially in the rural areas, which is still in a denial mode. We need to step up the level of awareness about HIV/AIDS and make sure we are able to deal with it more like a public health issue. Undoubtedly, information is readily available to all of us, but until it reaches the hearts and minds of people and until we move to support CSOs working in the rural communities so as to bring about a change in behaviors in these rural communities, the stigma and discrimination will continue to fester.
Hearing and knowing is one thing, but feeling it is something else. Often we do not understand what someone is going through until the shoe is on our foot and that need not be. Perhaps, if we all open our minds, hearts and accept PLWHA, not just letting the information being disseminated come through one ear and go through the other, but listen, ponder and embrace it, then compassion would come much easier.
Let us joins our hand and support people living with HIV and AIDS in our country let us look down to the rural populace, let us support CSOs working in the rural area,
Together we will win.
]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:42:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/238133 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/225233 The challenges that we young people are facing today are formidable, over 500 million people ages between 15 and 24 are living below the poverty line (less than $2.00 per day). 6,000 young people are infected with HIV daily And 1,500 women most of whom under 24 years die everyday as a result of Early pregnancy or childbirth World Population Report 2005 indicates That almost a quarter of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS are young People, yet they represent half of all new HIV infection cases. 63% of those infected with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa in 2003 were between the ages of 15 and 24

HOW do we fight the stigma and discrimination that has become synonymous with HIV/AIDS and young women? How do we achieve universal access? Young women are biologically more prone to HIV infection than men and that the younger they are the greater is their risk of acquiring the virus, nothing that the risk is greater in young women aged between 15 and 24 years.

The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria is about 4.4% translating to over 3.5 million people. The highest rate (5.6%) of infection is among young people aged 20-29 years. Despite progress in expanding prevention and treatment in the country, only 20% of males and 10 % of females between the ages 14 -25 can correctly identify ways of preventing HIV transmission. 1,200 young people in Nigeria got infected with HIV every day, which shows that one person per minute. World Population Report 2005 indicates Youth even though are important segment of our society lack the necessary information, skills and services that are needed to prevent themselves from contracting the Virus yet the scourge is the scourge of our time.

The issue of youths participation in the control of HIV/AIDS has suffered set back. Since the formation of Youth network on HIV/AIDS (NYNETHA) and Association of Positive Youths in Nigeria (APYIN). The two networks that is youths focus mainly for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria have never received any financial support to address the spread of the Virus among youth.

I am of the opinion that it is essential that top political leadership and ministerial officials should become more directly engaged in trying to control HIV/AIDS, in resolving difficult and enduring policy issues and in directing a truly multi-sector approach.
Nigeria will have to overcome significant barriers such as pervasive stigma and discrimination, youth involvement both in planning and implementation and meaningful involvement of PLWHA.

As we are entering into new political era, only high-level national leadership, Greater involvement of People living with HIV/AIDS and Youth participation can effectively confront the deep stigma and discrimination that surrounds HIV/AIDS and the high-risk behaviors at the center of the epidemic. Youth are critical stakeholders in development processes and in the control of HIV/AIDS, we need to be heard and support.
This will start to break down the stigma and discrimination barriers that exist, and also provide a way for zero tolerance in our Country.
]]> Sat, 30 Jun 2007 06:35:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/225233 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/218395
"STOP AIDS, KEEP THE PROMISE-ONE WEEK, ONE VOICE" theme of global week on HIV/AIDS have come and gone, let it be the opportunity of stakeholders for an over all assessment of the success attained over the year under review with regards the campaign against the HIV/AIDS, and to re-align their strategies for the future.
"Stop AIDS Keep the promise" theme adopted in 2001, came after a review of the Declaration of Commitment in the campaign against HIV/AIDS by all countries of the world including NigeriaThe prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria is about 4.4% translating to over 3.5 million people. The highest rate (5.6%) of infection is among young people aged 20-29 years. Despite progress in expanding prevention and treatment in the country, only 20% of males and 10 % of females between the ages 14 and 25 can correctly identify ways of preventing HIV transmission.

Only 30% of HIV positive pregnant women in the country are receiving Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART), free less than 10% of the population of People Living with HIV/AIDS has had access to free treatment without one problem or another
So call Federal Government Drug is no longer available, the one that is available has expired. They are now migrating people who are on government to PEPFAR.
The question is if PEPFAR stop now what is the fate of people on drug already? "Are we keeping our promises?" I asked, we know what works and we need to find out why programmes that work have not been implemented in the light of universal access. Leaders across the board, including civil society organizations (CSOs) should be aware that the public and the world are watching which is why we must be very serious about the promises we have pledged ourselves to keep.
Promise of treating (250,000) PLWHA by 2005, care and support for PLWHA, promise of greater involvement of PLWHA, promise of youth participation and other promises.
Progress in the attainment of these promises is being monitored around the world which, imply that leaders need to speak out and show more commitment.
It is in this regard that the media comes in as a strong partner in the health development of the country as well as a contributing factor in the spread of essential health messages to the general population.


The will and commitment of leaders across the spectrum including those at the highest level have been pivotal in countries experiencing a decline in the HIV prevalence rate.

Journalists should keep to their promises by getting more involved in "a positive way" and know the terms they will be using that are not stigmatized. Opinion leaders and media houses should devote time for HIV/AIDS activities free of charge. The role and contribution of journalists and the media is critical in this national campaign against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Let us take the advantage of the free Voluntary Confidential and Counseling Testing opportunities provided across the country, it is a key entry point for individuals and their families to know their HIV status. For universal access to be achieved, many people will need to have access to prevention, treatment and care services as they relate to HIV.
Testing and Counseling, are closely linked to prevention, treatment and care, the success of which, must be accompanied by concerted efforts aimed at increasing the demands for these facilities especially in communities that are most at risk.

Confidentiality and human rights as well as stigmatization and discrimination and the disclosure of the status of persons are major conditions that need to be protected since they are causes of people’s non-compliance. HIV/AIDS treatment and care programmes include nutritional support is a core intervention mechanism. Adequate nutrition is essential to the maintenance of the immune system and ensuring optimal benefits from the use of anti-retroviral therapy and other medicines.
There is need to have budget for nutritional support for Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPWHAN) for the support group that make up the Network]]> Wed, 13 Jun 2007 13:25:00 EDT http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/218395 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/153127
Reaction
Bill Clapp, co-founder of the Initiative for Global Development, said that Bush deserves credit for showing a "strong interest in health-related issues" during his speech. "Our reputation abroad was somewhat at risk," Clapp said, adding, "The United States doesn't want to be known as a warrior; it wants to be known as a beacon of light in the world" (Heim/Doughton, Seattle Times, 1/24). Although Bush is "right to point out the contribution the United States has made to the fight against global HIV/AIDS," the "U.S. effort must be part of a global response aimed at reaching specific goals," Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance Paul Zeitz said. Bush "has not mapped out a strategy to leverage a global response that would put this goal within reach," Zeitz added (GAA release, 1/23). Bush in his speech "failed to address the domestic HIV epidemic," a release by AIDS Action Council said, adding, "In particular, the president failed to call upon lawmakers to prioritize the needs of people living with HIV by making lifesaving drugs and medical treatment available to all who are HIV infected, nor did he highlight the importance of HIV prevention" (AAC release, 1/23). Jack Valenti, president of Friends of the Global Fight, said that global HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis programs -- as well as the U.S. contribution to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria -- are "saving the lives of millions of children and families around the world." Valenti added that he is "hopeful that these programs will continue to be a vital priority in the new Congress, and that we as a country maintain our commitment to those, mostly children, who will die without this vital support" (Friends of the Global Fight release, 1/23).
]]> Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:05:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/153127 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/153065
"People with HIV/AIDS are not just drug addicts and prostitutes. Housewives, children and mothers have the virus as well. We must get rid of the stigma associated with AIDS," said MAF trustee Datuk Mohd Zaman Khan.

He added the public should sympathise with HIV/AIDS sufferers and accept them into the community instead of avoiding them.

Mohd Zaman was speaking to newsmen at a cheque presentation ceremony for the Hope Campaign yesterday.

The campaign, with the slogan "Think not of charity, but of giving hope", was held by the Renaissance Group of Hotels from September to December last year. It raised RM45,000, which was presented to MAF yesterday.

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel general manager Robert Frager said besides collecting donations, the hotel also sold MAF merchandise to raise funds for the campaign.

"This is the second year we are supporting the MAF. We wanted to create awareness and spread the message to hotel guests and their associates to spare a thought for HIV/AIDS sufferers," he said.
]]> Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:49:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/153065 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/153063
The Act says groups receiving US government funds, usually administered through USAID, must have in place a pledge "explicitly opposing prostitution or sex trafficking;" and that no funds "may be used to promote or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution or sex trafficking." At first the pledge didn’t apply to US organizations, but government officials reinterpreted the pledge, and in 2005 began to apply it to US-based groups that do international work.

Public-health and women’s rights groups in the US and abroad say that if put into practice by groups fighting the disease, this requirement will prevent sex workers from seeking counseling and aid, and hence bar outreach to one of the populations most vulnerable to contracting HIV.wo lawsuits filed in 2005 call the pledge an unconstitutional violation of free speech, and in 2006, federal district judges separately ruled that the pledge was indeed unconstitutional. But the government has appealed the cases, which now sit before three-judge panels in two federal appeals courts.

The Alliance for Open Society International (AOSI) is the lead plaintiff in one of the cases. The Alliance has received USAID funding for its work against HIV/AIDS in Central Asia.

The AOSI adopted an anti-sex-work statement in order to continue a five-year program aimed at drug users in Central Asia, funded in part by a USAID grant. According to the lawsuit documents, after months of confusing correspondence with USAID officials who failed to clarify whether AOSI’s policy did actually satisfy the pledge or not, in 2005 AOSI sued USAID over the pledge requirement.

"Since USAID began implementing its pledge requirement, the plaintiffs have been torn between their desire to continue this successful, life-saving work, and their desire to avoid adopting an ideologically driven government policy that will hurt their ability to do their life-saving work with their own funding," states the lawsuit complaint.

The other lawsuit was filed by the group DKT International after USAID stopped funding its condom program in Vietnam because it refused to adopt the anti-sex-work pledge. With offices in the United States and eleven other countries, DKT focuses on condom distribution and reproductive rights around the world.
]]> Thu, 25 Jan 2007 04:43:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/153063 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/152113 The disease has killed 25 million people and infected 40 million more.
It has become the world’s leading cause of death among both women and men aged between 15 and 59.
It has inflicted the single greatest reversal in the history of human development. In other words, it has become the greatest challenge of our generation.
In Nigeria, as the number of infections continues unabated, stigma and discrimination remains a formidable challenge to prevention, care and treatment initiatives.
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and its associated discrimination affect all aspects of HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
HIV thrives in an environment of ignorance and erodes social support for infected people, which is access to information, support groups and economic and legal services.
Reducing stigma and discrimination is crucial to the success of HIV/AIDS treatment programmes, as the quality of such programmes can and do depend on the degree at which health centers and hospitals welcome and respect the rights of the individuals.
One lesson we have learnt in the Care and Support Project is that stigma and discrimination promotes the culture of silence – people fear to talk about HIV ands AIDS, let alone disclose that they or a relative has HIV.
Stigma, silence, discrimination, Poverty and denial, as well as lack of confidentiality, contributes to a climate of fear. This undermines prevention, care and treatment efforts and further increases the impact of the epidemic on individuals, families, communities and Nigeria as a nation.
Stigma and discrimination views HIV as a disease of outsiders, which leads to exclusion from the community. This exclusion in turn engenders lack of involvement and social inaction, leaving individuals sheltering behind a wall of silence and preventing the social mobilization that has proved the most effective tool in fighting the epidemic.
As a consequence, due to HIV/AIDS-related stigma, appropriate policies and models of good practice remain undeveloped. Hence, people living with HIV/AIDS continue to be burdened by poor care and inadequate services.
The impact of stigma on the affected individual can lead to depression, guilt and shame, as well as to behaviour that limits participation within communities and access to services intended to assist them.
HIV/AIDS-related stigma constantly reminds members of the discriminated groups that they are social outcasts or even deserve to be punished.
If people are mocked or treated with hostility, they may feel uncared for and are therefore less likely to take steps to protect themselves.
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination is a major obstacle to effective prevention and care for it can prevent governments (national authorities) from getting a true picture of the burden of the pandemic because people are not coming forward for testing, care and support.
This compromises planning, allocation of resources and provision of services to people with HIV and for people from other highly vulnerable groups.
Stigma and discrimination hinders prevention interventions by fostering ignorance about facts on HIV.
HIV/AIDS-related stigma discourages people to get tested or when they get tested, from returning for their test results.
Some avoid clinics known to be testing for HIV.
Others believe that the fact that they have been tested it will eventually reach the rest of the community.
Self-stigmatization leads one to police his/her behaviour hence withdrawing from community and available services.
The fear of being stigmatized results in women, men and young people being unable to look after their sexual and reproductive health – accessing sexual health information, treatment and methods for HIV and STI prevention, such as the female condom.
Some infected individuals may choose not to change or adapt their behaviour to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission for fear that such a change would arouse suspicion and stigma.
Stigma by health-care providers nurses, doctors impacts on access to treatment in health centers and hospitals.
Some medical workers, in an attempt to avoid having contact with people living with HIV/AIDS or provide care, pass patient from one hospital to another.
Stigma and discrimination has made the medical management of HIV and AIDS very stressful despite efforts to create more awareness.
Social stigmatization of the disease frustrates efforts to apply the most effective medical interventions in the management of HIV and AIDS, counseling, testing and treatment.
It causes individuals to shy away from tests hence treatment is delayed or not received at all.
Delayed treatment can contribute to the continued spread of disease because people do not know their status.
As a New Year gift to our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, let us make a commitment to say NO to stigma and discrimination to people living with HIV and AIDS. Let’s keep the Promise.



]]> Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:38:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/152113 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/148863 This new minor DANIDA-project in co-operation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will support information for the Vietnamese people, especially young people. This will be done through strengthening the capacity of the Voice of Vietnam radio (VOV) in producing and broadcasting an entertainment programme for behaviour change on HIV/AIDS prevention.
This is the second project funded by DANIDA to support the VOV in broadcasting an education/counselling programme on reproductive health for young people. The former project with VOV was to broadcast a phone-in radio programme called “Window of Love”. This programme was well received by young listeners and the government officers.
The lack of awareness and inappropriate understanding of HIV/AIDS are the main factors that contribute to stigma and discrimination of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam. Vietnam’s mass media organisations (radio, television, print newspapers, online newspapers, films, etc) have made active contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS through long-standing and systematic campaigns.
This project will use a serialised radio drama to improve the awareness and change behaviour towards healthy behaviours for HIV/AIDS prevention, especially focusing on stigma and discrimination reduction.
After the signing ceremony on 24 January 2007, the project will be officially implemented to December 2009, as a serialised radio drama of 104 episodes, following the entertainment-education methodology pioneered by Miguel Sabido of Mexico.
There is ample evidence from Sabido style serial dramas of their effectiveness in changing behaviour with regard to HIV prevention and stigma reductions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The reasons for its effectiveness include the high entertainment value that attracts large audiences, the emotional content of the dramas that improves retention of the information learned, and the use of role modelling rather than the messages as a way to influence audience behaviour.
The radio soap opera in Vietnamese on VOV will cater to listeners in all 64 provinces and cities and will be transcript into Khmer, Mong and Thai language to serve ethnic listeners in various provinces including those living in border areas.


]]> Mon, 22 Jan 2007 05:16:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/148863 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/121085 (TB) drugs were outlined today at the conclusion of a two-day symposium
titled "No Time to Wait," convened in New York this week by the
international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without
Borders/Médecins Sans Frontires (MSF) with the support of Howard P. Milstein and
Weill Cornell Medical College's Abby and Howard P. Milstein Program in
Chemical Biology. The symposium brought together more than 100 TB
specialists, drug developers and regulators, policy makers, donors and activists
to outline practical proposals to fill the gaps in TB drug research and
development (RD).

"We are failing people with TB," said Dr. Tido von Schoen-Angerer,
Director of MSF's Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines. "Diagnosing
and treating TB is one of the greatest challenges facing health care
providers around the world. Things are going from bad to worse with
multi-drug resistant TB and even extensively drug resistant (XDR) TB,
particularly in settings with high HIV prevalence. The urgency for new tools
could not be greater — there is no time to wait."

TB kills nearly two million people per year, primarily because of
inadequate diagnostic and treatment tools. While roughly one drug for HIV
has been developed each year since the start of the epidemic 25 years
ago, the latest novel TB drug in today's standard therapy was developed in
the 1960s. Basic science is not being translated into new TB drugs
needed to improve treatment, according to an MSF analysis of the TB drug
pipeline. There are not enough promising drugs in the pipeline and
serious funding gaps prevent the development of candidate drug compounds
through to clinical trials.

Resistance to TB drugs is growing at a rapid pace, with 450,000 new
cases of drug-resistant TB detected each year. The recent detection of
hundreds of cases of XDR-TB, which is extremely difficult and sometimes
impossible to treat, adds further urgency to the situation. TB remains
the main killer of people with HIV, in large part because existing TB
drugs and tests are poorly adapted for use in people with HIV/AIDS.

"In TB research, there needs to be a convergence of innovation,
incentive, and access," said Dr. Carl Nathan, Rees Pritchett Professor of
Microbiology and Chairman of Microbiology and Immunology at Weill Cornell
Medical College. "We need to see openness, leadership and collaboration
among all TB actors."

Experts attending the symposium emphasized several actions that
urgently need to be taken to improve the situation:

Drastically increase funding of TB RD
Accelerate drug discovery
Expand clinical trial capacity and speed up clinical development
Commit to global TB RD leadership
Support new approaches to RD, such as a global RD framework
"We need increased clinical trial capacity, fast-tracked clinical
trials, and criteria for compassionate use of important candidate drugs,"
said Dr. von Schoen-Angerer. "To make any real difference, we need to see
a dramatic increase in funding and political will."

The symposium emphasized a need to build a global TB RD movement, as
was critical to the advancements in HIV drug development. Strong
political leadership is required to improve collaboration between scientists,
drug developers, care providers, and affected individuals. Symposium
participants agreed on the need for a massive increase in funding by
governments for TB RD, as current TB drug discovery initiatives are
insufficient. Participants voiced support for an effort launched by
governments at the World Health Assembly in May 2006 to examine alternative ways
to prioritize and finance health-needs-driven RD.

Source: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/pr/2007/01-12-2007.cfm]]> Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:32:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/121085 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/86025
Children here are vulnerable to abuse, violence, stigma and discrimination on a daily basis. They may be sold or kidnapped by procurers to be taken to other parts of the country, and pushed into sex work. Says S. Suresh Kumar of the West Bengal AIDS Prevention and Control Society, "Children, already traumatised by the process of trafficking, are raped repeatedly and are extremely vulnerable to the threat of HIV and AIDS."

Apne Aap Women Worldwide (AAWW), a civil society organisation working with children living in the red light areas of Kolkata, has come out with a unique book. Comprising accounts of children living in Sonagachi and Kalighat (red light areas in Kolkata), it is titled The Place Where We Live is Called a Red Light Area. It was released recently by Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace in 2003. The slim book, which includes drawings by these children, reveals a sombre, but hopeful, view of life.

One of the accounts shows that from time to time, men dressed as policemen come into the locality to pick up children. But the children have learnt to evade these men, quickly informing each other and their parents. Often women in the area even chase the traffickers away with brooms. They have learnt to deal with the nightmarish threat of trafficking and are not overwhelmed by the misfortune and the danger dogging their lives.

Says Mili, 14, "Both boys and girls get trafficked. Little children who do not even know the names of their parents are caught and trafficked. These children are trained to become pickpockets, touts, thieves and robbers. The girls are sold outside the country. Family members sell their children to foreign nationals for a small amount of money."

Abhimanyu, 15, explains that many traffickers "have large factories in Delhi and America. These factories engage five- and six-year-old boys and girls.... They are sold again when they are older. Young boys and girls are trafficked this way."

They say that calling the police would only create more trouble than helping them. Most children are sympathetic to the women in these areas. "Those who do such bad work are not bad themselves.... They are not to be blamed because in many cases they themselves have been sold by their husbands or parents or friends," they explain. And they do not shy away from offering a way out to the elders.

For example, Anjali, 16, spoke to women in her area about the possibility of earning money in other ways. They seemed eager, but their husbands were angry because they wanted money coming into the household on a daily basis. With a job, money would come in only at the month-end. One of them had, however, asked Anjali to teach her to read and write. Later, she left the area and took up a job as an attendant in a hospital; she came back to thank Anjali for her help. Says Anjali, "Perhaps no one will believe me, but this is a true incident."

With their irrepressible enthusiasm, the children look to the future and find a bright spot on the horizon of their otherwise bleak lives. They express a strong conviction that HIV/AIDS patients must be looked after rather than neglected; "they are human beings," they assert. Many of them say they would like to study further, become doctors or social workers, help those infected with HIV/AIDS, and work to prevent the infection from spreading.

Mili had even warned her mother and other neighbourhood women about the dangers of AIDS. Her family told her she was talking of things beyond her age. Not one to give up, she says, "After I become a doctor, I will open a clinic in this area and spread awareness. The men who buy sex must be made aware of the consequences of their desire and actions."

The views and dreams of these young people are touching, and even inspiring. Living in the midst of gloom, they refuse to abandon hope.

]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:35:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/86025 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/86023
The Ryan White CARE Act provides life-sustaining care and support services to an estimated 500,000 HIV-positive people and their families in the U.S. API leaders stated that it is critical as the only source of public funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and care for the many AAPIs living with HIV/AIDS.

AAPIs had the highest estimated annual percentage change (8.1 percent for AAPI men and 14.3 percent for AAPI women) in annual HIV/AIDS diagnosis rates according to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"It has become increasingly important to address the needs of AAPIs living with AIDS and their families because our community was the only racial/ethnic group to experience statistically significant increases in HIV/AIDS diagnosis rates.

Given the AAPI community's high rates of being uninsured and under-insured for healthcare and the shrinking of public health and assistance programs such as Medicaid, the Ryan White CARE Act has become even more critical for AAPIs who would otherwise not have access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care", commented Ms. ManChui Leung, Program Director at the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum.

For 83 year old Los Angeles native Hazel Young, the transformation from a Chinese American public service employee to a vocal HIV/AIDS activist was driven by her passion to educate Asian Americans that HIV/AIDS can happen in their families. Her son died of AIDS shortly after his 30th birthday twelve years ago.

Even though Mrs. Young was completely supportive of her son and was his primary care giver until his death, she experienced first-hand the stigma and denial from her community that has discouraged many AAPI HIV/AIDS patients from seeking care and support.

"As a community, we still have many myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. It may be difficult to accept, but we need to recognize that HIV/AIDS can happen to any of us. Wouldn't you want to know that there are programs and services available to provide the best care possible for your loved ones?" asked Mrs. Young.

Throughout the past decade, community awareness about HIV/AIDS in the AAPI community has improved.

Yet, AAPIs are still more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to access care and treatment very late in their disease, thereby limiting healthcare options.

The Ryan White CARE Act will provide funding for earlier care and treatment to hard to reach communities such as the AAPI communities. "As more AAPIs are infected with HIV/AIDS, access to culturally and linguistically competent care is increasingly important to the patients and their families. As with any other community, AAPIs deserve the highest level of quality health care possible. It can make the difference between life and death," stressed Leung.

The Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum is a national policy advocacy organization dedicated to improve the health status of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The twenty-year old organization is headquartered in San Francisco with a legislative office in Washington, D.C.

The Ryan White CARE Act was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS and against AIDS-related discrimination helped educate the nation.
]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:32:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/86023 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333 http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/169075


Children here are vulnerable to abuse, violence, stigma and discrimination on a daily basis. They may be sold or kidnapped by procurers to be taken to other parts of the country, and pushed into sex work. Says S. Suresh Kumar of the West Bengal AIDS Prevention and Control Society, "Children, already traumatised by the process of trafficking, are raped repeatedly and are extremely vulnerable to the threat of HIV and AIDS."



Apne Aap Women Worldwide (AAWW), a civil society organisation working with children living in the red light areas of Kolkata, has come out with a unique book. Comprising accounts of children living in Sonagachi and Kalighat (red light areas in Kolkata), it is titled The Place Where We Live is Called a Red Light Area. It was released recently by Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian lawyer and human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace in 2003. The slim book, which includes drawings by these children, reveals a sombre, but hopeful, view of life.



One of the accounts shows that from time to time, men dressed as policemen come into the locality to pick up children. But the children have learnt to evade these men, quickly informing each other and their parents. Often women in the area even chase the traffickers away with brooms. They have learnt to deal with the nightmarish threat of trafficking and are not overwhelmed by the misfortune and the danger dogging their lives.



Says Mili, 14, "Both boys and girls get trafficked. Little children who do not even know the names of their parents are caught and trafficked. These children are trained to become pickpockets, touts, thieves and robbers. The girls are sold outside the country. Family members sell their children to foreign nationals for a small amount of money."



Abhimanyu, 15, explains that many traffickers "have large factories in Delhi and America. These factories engage five- and six-year-old boys and girls.... They are sold again when they are older. Young boys and girls are trafficked this way."



They say that calling the police would only create more trouble than helping them. Most children are sympathetic to the women in these areas. "Those who do such bad work are not bad themselves.... They are not to be blamed because in many cases they themselves have been sold by their husbands or parents or friends," they explain. And they do not shy away from offering a way out to the elders.



For example, Anjali, 16, spoke to women in her area about the possibility of earning money in other ways. They seemed eager, but their husbands were angry because they wanted money coming into the household on a daily basis. With a job, money would come in only at the month-end. One of them had, however, asked Anjali to teach her to read and write. Later, she left the area and took up a job as an attendant in a hospital; she came back to thank Anjali for her help. Says Anjali, "Perhaps no one will believe me, but this is a true incident."



With their irrepressible enthusiasm, the children look to the future and find a bright spot on the horizon of their otherwise bleak lives. They express a strong conviction that HIV/AIDS patients must be looked after rather than neglected; "they are human beings," they assert. Many of them say they would like to study further, become doctors or social workers, help those infected with HIV/AIDS, and work to prevent the infection from spreading.



Mili had even warned her mother and other neighbourhood women about the dangers of AIDS. Her family told her she was talking of things beyond her age. Not one to give up, she says, "After I become a doctor, I will open a clinic in this area and spread awareness. The men who buy sex must be made aware of the consequences of their desire and actions."



The views and dreams of these young people are touching, and even inspiring. Living in the midst of gloom, they refuse to abandon hope.


]]> Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:01:00 EST http://alexodegreat.tigblog.org/post/169075 6.2166667 7.08333336.21666677.0833333