The threat of HIV looms large over Punjab, darker than ever before. While the disease itself is more treatable now than ever before, the stigma and misconception surrounding the virus make countering its spread appear as a steep mountain to climb. I recently had a chance to meet the Director General AIDS Control Program who shed light on the matter.
A Shifting Trend: From High-Risk Groups to the General Population
“HIV cases are rising in Punjab,” the DG stated clearly, highlighting a disturbing shift. “Earlier, HIV was mostly concentrated among high-risk populations – injecting drug users, transgenders, female and male sex workers. But now it is increasingly affecting the general population due to the lack of implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines.” This shift is highly alarming as the public at large is vulnerable to this disease that is no longer confined to high-risk groups.
What are the Causes of the Rise in Cases?
The most affected cities by the outbreak are Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan. There are an array of reasons, all of which are interconnected. The DG stated, “These areas are vulnerable due to migration, poverty, quackery, injecting drug use, and weak implementation of IPC protocols.” She lay special emphasis on medical quackery- dishonest doctors without proper qualification do not follow IPC guidelines. She was of the view that in our society, the main mode of transmission of HIV is rarely sexual, rather it is mostly due to the above stated reasons.
Stigma – The Invisible Barrier
It was heartbreaking to learn and explore the stigma around this disease. “Stigma leads HIV-positive individuals to hide their identity and avoid disclosing their status,” the DG explained. “This makes it harder for them to access treatment and support. Many feel they have no purpose in life after diagnosis.” Silence and shame felt by HIV-positive individuals is a major obstacle in their treatment as it not only prevents them from getting treatment but isolates them from society entirely. Furthermore, it acts as a hindrance and prevents potential people at risk from getting tested due to the fear of the outcome.
Government Efforts: Testing, Treatment & Awareness
Punjab Government has taken several steps to combat the situation such as establishment of Treatment Centres in every district of Punjab, where free treatment is available. Furthermore, free screening camps are held regularly in rural areas. Pre-exposure (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are now available for healthcare workers. “We want people to know that HIV is treatable. The Punjab AIDS Control Program provides free counselling, testing, and treatment – for life.”
Shattering the Stigma
When questioned about what steps are being taken to overcome the stigma, the Director General responded, “In villages and schools, we provide not only information but also moral and financial support. It’s important to hate the disease, not the patient.” This simple message can actually go a long way in bringing about a positive change and eliminating this stigma from the minds of the public.
What This Means for Us
This conversation rang many bells and is a wake up call for all of us to realize that HIV is a menacing threat for the public at large. However, the positive takeaways are that HIV can easily be treated just like Diabetes or any other disease, provided we take the required steps. HIV is not a curse, and those affected with it should not be left in a desolate state, rather they should be treated with kindness, empathy and respect. They should not be secluded from society. The PACP is making efforts to fight the war on the medical front, but we need to strive to combat the social front and tackle the stigma. Let us all pledge to secure the future of our children by choosing facts over misinformation, empathy over fear, conversation over silence.