World AIDS Day: Awareness key to prevention
Thursday - December 5, 2019 11:48 am ,
Category : WTN SPECIAL
WTN- Despite making marked progress in reducing the number of AIDS deaths in the country, we have still not been able to end the prevalence of the virus. Even as we observe the 31st World AIDS Day on December 1, there are over 20 lakh people today have AIDS, among which over 11 lakhs are surviving on anti-retroviral treatment (ART). Close to 60,000 people died due to AIDS related ailments in 2018, while there were 85,000 new HIV infections recorded.
There is no scope for complacency and more urgent steps need to be taken to drastically reduce the numbers. The key to stem the damage due to HIV/AIDS is to get diagnosed early and stick to the ART regimen to enhance immunity and chances of longevity. ART drugs are available more or less in every district hospital and medical college apart from the NGOs that work for AIDS patients. Hence accessibility to treatment is not an issue. Anti-retroviral drugs are available for free at the government facilities and the ART centres also provide guidance and counselling to patients and their kin on how to tackle the disease and lessen its impact on normal living.
The problem is not so much of treatment as it is with the stigma that surrounds the condition, that leads to underreporting or late reporting of the disease and hence late medical intervention than worsens the situation. The government is aiming this aspect at present and trying through various programmes and assistance to remove this stigma and make society more accepting of AIDS patients and more responsible in their approach towards them. It is a tough and long-drawn process but this is the only way to make people open up about the disease. Opening up and discussing about it will lead to greater awareness and awareness is the only way to drive away the fear that is bred by ignorance about the disease.
There are multiple myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease (like AIDS is caused by kissing or hugging, or by mosquito bite that has bitten the infected person etc.) that further convolute the situation and isolate the patient, who and whose kin are often ostracised by immediate society, ironically at a time when they need immense psychological support and affiliation to brave and survive the disturbing situation.
Awareness is also the key to prevention as more people are made aware of the risk factors and the implications their dangerous habits could lead to, more they will avoid those factors and play safe. The large scale spread of AIDS in the early years has seen a marked decline in this decade or so largely due to enhanced awareness and resultant responsible behaviour by the people, majorly having safe sex and avoiding multiple partners. But the fight has to go on because sustaining the effort is the key.
India is a country of over a billion people, millions of them stifled by illiteracy, cultural stigmas and religious bindings and as such no amount of effort at raising awareness can be deemed adequate.- Window To News
