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Do we really care?
What is it about HIV/AIDS that makes it so 'different' from other ailments or diseases? HIV/AIDS kills, that everyone knows and it is also a fact that there is as yet no known vaccine or cure for the disease. But then there are many other ailments that also kill and much faster than HIV, like Hepatitis B though there are now vaccines available for this disease. Cancer too kills a large number of people every year and so too does Tuberculosis, stroke and heart 'attacks.
The 'interesting’ point to note here is that these other equally fatal diseases do not evoke the same kind of reaction as HIV/AIDS. The question is why? We believe the answer lies in the human mind and the social set up. HIV/AIDS is a disease not only in the strict sense of the medical term but connotes wider social implications and this becomes more pronounced, in closed, conservative society.
AIDS is today not only a medical issue but a social issue and this can be caused from the number of days observed in connection with the disease. Come December I every year and the whole world come together to solemnly observe the International AIDS Day and come May 19 every year people all over the world come together under the International Candlelight Memorial Observation. Again questions may be asked why a special day should be set aside to remember the victims of AIDS. The answer to this we think lies in the fact that HIV/AIDS is not, some 'ordinary' disease that only kills but also takes a heavy toll on the whole family and by extension society and on a bigger canvass the whole world.
Again it needs no reminder that awareness and campaign to spread the message of the disease should be carried on unrelentingly or as a leading exponent in the study of HIV/AIDS in Manipur, put it during a private conversation with some reporters, "AIDS awareness drive should be carried out relentlessly just like the cola advertisements so that it sticks in the mind of the people forever." Nothing perhaps illustrates the need for awareness drive-against AIDS as the observation made by this gentleman.
In Manipur the disease has assumed gargantuan proportions and it was a heart rending sight to see people with HIV sharing their testimonials at the International Candlelight Memorial Observation at GM Hall on May 19. It is heartening to know that the Manipur Network of Positive People, in short MNP+, has come forward to provide the needed support system to the HIV infected people. Everyone seems to know that HIV/AIDS is spread not only through intravenous drug users but when it comes to the crux certain section of the population refuse to remove this misconception and clear the cob webs from their mind set. This is unfortunate for the simple fact is that no one will willingly contract the disease.
Moreover it also needs to be remembered that records the world over will testify that a number of unsuspecting people have been diagnosed with HIV through blood transfusion. How about widows left behind by HIV infected husbands? How about children who were infected while they were still in the womb of the infected mothers?
These are soul stirring questions and what society can do for HIV infected people is not to treat them with-pity but to understand and empathize with their existence and make their lives worthwhile. As human beings it is OUT responsibility to let people with the HIV virus live as human beings. Let's leave the search for the vaccine or cure to scientists and medical practitioners but as members of society let us show, "We Care."
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express) |
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