‘ HIV taught us how to improve our health systems’

◗ Chinmay Modi, who is fighting AIDS since he was nine years old, said the stigma surrounding the disease has made life more difficult for those affected by it

New Delhi, Dec. 1: HIV has taught mankind how to improve its health systems and this knowledge can be used to counter other diseases, professor of medicine at AIIMS, Dr Naveet Wig has said.

Speaking at an interactive session here on Thursday, Dr Wig said: “There is a need to integrate all healthcare programmes, so that our resources are used efficiently.”

The World AIDS Day on on Friday is dedicated to raising awareness about the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV.

The event was conducted by the American Centre, in collaboration with the Centres for Disease Control, the US agency for International Development, the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids and the International Aids Vaccine Initiative.

Dr Wig also advised the people to get themselves tested for the virus. “The earlier, the better. There is a need for the people to realise this,” the expert said.

Chinmay Modi, who is fighting the dreaded diasease since he was nine years old, said the stigma surrounding it made life more difficult for those affected by it. “There is a section of society, which accepts you and there is another, which doesn’t let you live freely, but reminds you of the situation you are in.”