End the stigma on HIV
EVERY year, people all over the world observe Dec 1 as World AIDS Day.
World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, and improve education among all of us.
AIDS is a word which evokes as much fear as it does hatred. Having experienced being isolated has taught me how important it is to educate society about HIV and AIDS. World AIDS Day is the perfect way to spread awareness about the disease and help those with AIDS and HIV. Being a person with HIV does not make us any different from others.
There was a time when I went into hiding. I felt that I should just leave this world, not because of the virus which is in my body, but because of the stigma people foisted on my shoulder.
Depression, being isolated by family and friends was the worst feeling. I am lucky to be a Malaysian as we have a lot of medical practitioners who are willing to go the extra mile to help their patients believe that there is always a second chance in life.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Ministry of Health - Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Director General of Health; Dr Anita Suleiman, Head Sector of HIV/STI/Hepatitis C under Disease Control (Communicable Diseases) Division; and a million
Being a person with HIV does not make us any different from others.
thanks to Dr Sheela Bai, Dr Diana Lai and the team at the HIV Unit in Klinik Kesihatan Cheras; the wonderful nurses (Baaya, Gaayu, Bala , Sila) there; and Kuala Lumpur AIDS Service Society (KLASS) for their support, love and care towards each and every one of us. Kudos to each and every one of you.
I sincerely hope the Health Ministry via health facilities like Klinik Kesihatan Cheras will continue to focus not just on preventing HIV transmissions, but also on fighting stigma and isolation.
For those who have just been diagnosed with HIV, you are never alone, there is always a second chance.
Stand up, never give up and always believe every obstacle you have faced in your life is a test and challenge for you
HIV doesn’t kill, stigma does. #LetsEndIt MR REZA Cheras