How to deal with this kind of stigma and discrimination?

[Guest guest]

DEAR ALL,

I would like to bring to you the given below statement of stigma and

dicrimination being faced my me yesterday at my home town for your kind

attention/information.

I was today refused dressing of a wound by a local chemist/druggist here on

learning that I was HIV positive. A pharmacy, M/S Delight Pharma, located

alongside Dimapur’s Circular Road, the pharmacist allegedly refused dressing my

wounds. I sustaineda small cut on my right arm and had gone to the said pharmacy

for a dressing. In order that care should be taken, I had informed the

pharmacist of my HIV status. On learning this, the pharmacist refused to dress

my wound on the pretext that “we don’t do such dressing” and that there were no

“HIV/AIDS gloves” in the clinic.

I have informed the matterto the local media also. The wound was hardly even to

be called a wound, it was hardly the size of a cotton swap. And I later sent a

friend to the pharmacy again to procure gloves to ascertain the pharmacist’s

contention. The pharmacist was asked if there were gloves “to apply henna on the

hair.” The pharmacy had gloves.

I was anguished by the treatment meted out to me and that too none other than

by a medical entity. I am thinking of Legal action against the clinic for the

discrimination.

I was informed that when confronted, the clinic denied any such treatment given

to me. They are claiming that the gloves were brought “only after I went away,”

I have all the Cash memos detailing surgical gloves, bandages etc as proof.

I therefore seek your kind opinion and support in this regard to deal with, so

that in future such incidents should not come up.

with regards

Abemo

President

PPF+ (Positive People Foundation)

Nagaland, Dimapur

Abemo Lotha

e-mail: <abemoplus@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/7663

I have just come from Sydney after covering the 4th Ineternational Conference on

HIV/AIDS treatment and pathogenesis.

The Central Health Minster and NACO officials were also at Sydney ( Ministerial

meeting on HIV/AIDS) where there were lot of promises to collectively fight

against the draconian virus.

But I feel ashamed of myself when I get such kinds of mails by my HIV positive

friends.

Really it is pity when ever there is denial by the Doctors/Nursing staff to

treat positives.

I am surprised about the action of NACO and other related agencies as the reply

in this matter to the forum is still awaited.

As a Journalist, I urge all my fellow friends to give topmost priority to such

issues and fight for the rights of our PLHA friends.

Regards,

Jasvinder Sehgal

International Broadcaster,

VOA-Hindi

e-mail: <jasvindersehgal@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/7663

Most of the NGO/CBO's & SACS are also trying to aware the health

authorities.

Sadly As you have mentioned this type of discrimination is facing by most of

PLWHA throughout the country.

But, a few want to take the initiative to solve this problem. I

would like to appreaciate your courage and attention in keeping all

the evidens with you. In my opinion it is better to proceed legally.

" Thousands miles of a marathon starts with a single move "

ALL THE BEST MY FRIEND.

With Love

Santhosh

Koraput, Orissa

e-mail: <kumarpositive@...>

[Guest guest]

How to deal with this kind of stigma and discrimination?

On discrimination of PPF president-

Re: /message/7663

I would like to share some facts regarding the article " HIV Positive

denied treatment " on August 4.

I strongly feel insulted as the importance of a right based approach

to HIV/AIDS was totally buried alive by a pharmacist when a PLHA

(People Living with HIV/AIDS) who went for a treatment was refused

because he disclosed the truth about himself, being educated and

highly qualified, though infected with HIV/AIDS but with respect for

human life and its risk about HIV/AIDS and inspite of world wide

stigma and discrimination.

I wonder how anyone in the field of health care sector can deny a

person living with HIV/AIDS for his/her treatment. As far as I know,

Article 14 of the Constitution of India guarantees equality to all

persons within the territory of India. That is equality before the

law and the equal protection be secured to all persons in the

enjoyment of their right life and liberties without discrimination or

favouritism.

As reported on August 4, was it justifiable to refuse anybody with a

cut by the saying that he did not have gloves for human treatment but

have gloves for applying 'Henna'? Is it a pharmacy or a beauty

parlour? How can a person sell pharmaceutical products and cosmetic

products in a pharmacy? The very particular pharmacist has fully

exposed his total discrimination against PLHAs and showed total

disrespect or human rights and against those working in the field of

HIV/AIDS and its related problems. Imagine, had he not disclosed his

status, what would be the consequence?

As a part of PPF+, I strongly condemn the attitude of the pharmacist

for refusing the treatment of our president. He (Pharmacist) not only

refused treatment to the president but also refused the organization

and PLHAs as a whole.

I therefore demand his ( Pharmacist) open apology to our president,

the PLHAs and to Positive People's Foundation at the earliest. I also

tender my sincere request to the concern department to take immediate

action against the particular pharmacist.

Discrimination against PLHAs in health care sector is direct threat

to their right life and against Human Rights. The Government of India

through its NAPCP and its statements at the UN General Assembly

Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June 2001 has long recognized the

rights of the PLHAs.

Kevi Z. , Project Director,

Care Centre, Positive People Foundation,

Dimapur.

_______________

Apology letter to PPF President.

With due respect, I would like make a press statement as an apology

letter to the president PPF Dimapur which was carried in a local

daily on August 4 captioned " HIV positive person denied " .

I, the proprietor of Delight Pharmacy would like to extend my

heartiest and humble apology to the president of Positive People's

Foundation for the denial where some items like gloves were not

available at the time for which I could not attend.

Here, I sincerely regret this incident as most unfortunate one and

making this humble apology to all concerns with utmost respect

without any feeling of discrimination.

Dilip Ghosh,

Proprietor, Delight Pharmacy.

http://www.nagalandpost.com/Opiniondesc.asp?sectionid=44696