Distribution caravans perpetuate AIDS stigma?

Ike Vavi
Correspondent | Monday August 30, 2010 00:00

While they are meant to demonstrate the country's commitment in the fight against the epidemic, the famous caravans have however elicited mixed reactions, particularly in relation to the perception of HIV and AIDS.

Toboka Chakalisa of Borolong village argues that, 'although the intention of putting up these caravans for the distribution of ARV's seems to be a welcome development, this strategy has underlying negative consequences particularly with people's perception about this disease,' he argues. He maintains that, 'we must acknowledge the fact that stigma and discrimination against those who have been infected by this disease is one of the problems that we are facing as a society. Having separate collection points for drugs for people who live with this virus can only help to compound this problem of discrimination and stigmatisation,' he reasons.

He argues that these caravans are a clear manifestation of discrimination. 'We are in a way discriminating against those who have this problem. This explains why people in turn draw conclusions that one is infected when they see them visiting those caravans. That is because people understand that these caravans are for those who have this problem,' he said.

Ketenegile Ketlhokile of Ramokgwebana says that,  'The problem with the use of these isolated caravans is that the strategy seems to be communicating that HIV and AIDS is still a secret thing.  We are treating this disease as if it is not like other diseases,' she says. She reveals that this approach seems to imply that, 'This disease is not like other diseases. This is why we seem to be losing the battle against the stigma and discrimination that characterises this disease,' she says.

She suggested that every strategy used ensures that it directly or indirectly deals with the issue of stigma and discrimination. 'The distribution strategy should not only focus on the accessibility and distribution of the drugs but should also address the issue of public perceptions that are very imperative for the success of any strategy or approach to a problem or situation,' she argues.

Teko (as she prefers to be identified) from Serowe is of the view that, 'the current arrangement of distribution of these drugs from a 'secret' location or point means that the envisaged dream of having a society that will understand and treat HIV/AIDS like any other disease will only remain a mirage.'

She explains that, 'the importance of public perception in the fight against this scourge cannot be ignored. It is the public perception that might help the affected individuals to accept themselves and their status.' She says that this explains why at times compliance becomes a problem. 'Sometimes people decide not to go and collect their dosage because of fear of being seen going into these caravans. It becomes one way or the other of a public revelation of one's status,' she argues.

She argues that to curb these negative public perceptions, 'Antiretroviral drugs should be distributed from the same distribution points as all the other drugs. When people are queuing at the dispensary, one will not be able to tell what disease or condition they are suffering from. Why then do we decide to treat those who are collecting the antiretroviral drugs differently?' she says. She adds that, 'These caravans are in a way an emotional torture and public humiliation for those who get their antiretroviral drugs. It is an issue that needs to be seriously looked into if we want to treat and view HIV and AIDS like any other disease that can affect an individual. We need to do away with the labelling that these caravans are orchestrating,' she says.