DISCRIMINATION towards people living with HIV undermines their sense of self worth and dignity.
As society celebrates World Aids Day today, fighting the stigma the disease causes should be on top of the priority list.
That is the opinion of uThungulu Aids activist Simphiwe Gumede (31), who believes this remains one of the biggest challenges.
Speaking openly to the Zululand Observer about living with HIV, the television personality said poverty, racism and gender inequality are some of the contributing factors fuelling the lack of social understanding.
‘Lack of knowledge and just pure ignorance rule our society. People fail to understand that living with the virus does not mean waking a patient who will die at any moment.
‘As a young woman and a mother I have dreams and goals for myself and my kids,’ said Gumede.
‘I wake up every morning feeling good about myself and successful because I am not in denial about the virus. I acknowledge it as part of me.
‘I don’t allow false prophets to tell me they have a cure. I don’t drink concoctions with the hope it will change my status. It all starts with self acceptance.’
The number of people living with HIV globally is constantly increasing, but studies show that effective treatment has resulted in significantly extended lifespans.
However, according to the World Health Organisation, for every two people starting treatment another five are newly infected.
Facts about HIV/Aids
• More than 95% of people living with HIV live in developing countries
• 33.4 million people today have been infected
• In Africa, the average life expectancy is 47 years
• Most people living with the virus can access treatment
• Nearly a quarter of people living with HIV/Aids are unaware they have it
• When a person contracts HIV, their immune system weakens. This makes it much harder for the body to fight off other illnesses and is a sign that Aids is developing.
• More than 12 million children in Africa have been orphaned due to Aids.
• There is no cure. Antiviral drugs can only improve and strengthen the patient’s immune system, not cure the disease.
