Stigma stands stubborn after 40 years of HIV

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 | 1220 Views |

First line: The primary defence remains to get tested, know your status and get on treatment PIC: CUMBRIACRACK.COM

Forty years after the first case of HIV was confirmed in the country, those living with the disease still report stigma and high levels of internal guilt. Stubborn discrimination and self-blame are proving beyond the scope of the treatments available. MBONGENI MGUNI & NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE

“After I delivered the baby at the hospital, no one wanted to touch her, I was the one who was doing everything by myself even though there were older people at the house.

“I realised that people were stigmatising me. They helped me with nothing and I even ended up giving up a lot!

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