AEGiS-15IAC: Care and support of PLHWA in Lahore.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Care and support of PLHWA in Lahore.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10396)

Masih NM
New Light AIDS Control Awareness Group, Lahore, Pakistan

ISSUE: People Living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan are facing pathetic conditions due to lack of knowledge of community, doctors and other concerned people regarding disease If any one diagonoses hiv positive, tries to hide his status not only from community but also from his own family. As a result disease spreads briskly in family as well as in Community. The Chief Coordinator of New Light, when diagonosed HIV Positive, his pictures were published in local newspaper saying 'AIDS IN GREEN TOWN' along with picuture of his family, which creates strife for them to live normal life. Therefore New Light was formed to support PLWHAs and their families, to decrease stigma and discrimination exists in society and to disseminate information regarding HIV/AIDS among HIV positive families and in community. New Light with the provision of food, medicines and school fees of two children of HIV positive, gave the facilities of counseling and decreased PLHWA's fear and encourage to accept their status, convinced to be involved in prevention activities. Results Achieved: New Light enhanced the knwoledge of community and doctors by organizing seminars, workshops and advacacy programs among community, doctors and concerned people. New Light's field workers visit door to door in order to disseminate HIV/AIDS awareness, to reduce myths and misconcepts exists in people's mind and convince vulnerable groups to undergo HIV/AIDS screening. Many HIV positive disclosed their status due to the facility of counseling, social support and joined New Light that was working for the betterment of themselves. Their fear regarding disease removed and they were encouraged to live positively and honourably.

CONCLUSIONS: Community should be educated. Inclusion of PLWHAs in Prevention and Advocacy activities. Stigma and discrimination must be removed by educating doctors. Media should be involved in awareness programs. Advocacy workshops should be conducted.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Health Services, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Counseling, Social Support, Health Personnel, Family, Teaching, Pakistan, Child, organization & administration, education

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D10396