Social stigma strong bar to fighting HIV/AIDS
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Experts at a seminar said social stigma is a strong bar to fighting HIV/AIDS in the country, reports BSS.
Describing the AIDS as a deadly disease, they said: "We should change our attitude towards HIV/AIDS infected patients for prevention of the disease."
The Experts made the opinion while speaking at a seminar on "Culture Sensitive HIV/AIDS Prevention Communication for Behaviour Change" at Goethe-Institute Bangladesh auditorium in the city Wednesday night.
The Goethe-Institut Bangladesh in collaboration with the Institute of Hazrat Muhammad (SM) organised the seminar.
Dr Saima Khan presented a keynote paper at the seminar. Project Management Specialist of Population, Health and Nutrition of USAID Dr Sukumar Sarker, Frank Paulin of Public Health Administration of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dirk Gehl of KfW Kreditanstalt for Wiederaufbau of GTZ, National Consultant of UNAIDS Tony Michael Gomes, Head HIV/Consultant Physician of ICDDRB Brian Cobb and Executive Director of Bandhu Social Welfare Saleh Ahmed addressed, among others, the seminar.
Chief Coordinator of the Institute of Hazrat Muhammad (SM) Habiba Tasneem conducted the seminar.
Dr Sukumar Sarker said without major changes in behaviour and increase in knowledge, spread of the HIV/AIDS cannot be checked and called for a multi-pronged strategy focusing on the media, publication and community-based programmes to address the issue.
Tony Michael said Bangladesh has a low rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence. Collective actions are needed to fight the disease, he added.
He underscored the need for engaging religious and culture platforms in AIDS prevention communications.
Dr Brian Cobb said intervention programmes for those, who are at risk, should be strengthened further.
Other speakers said: "We have to create awareness among people through disseminating accurate messages about HIV/AIDS."
They observed inequality, illiteracy, lack of awareness and proper knowledge about HIV/AIDS, low social status of women, cultural restriction to discuss sex and use of a limited number of condoms are responsible for spreading the disease.
Describing the AIDS as a deadly disease, they said: "We should change our attitude towards HIV/AIDS infected patients for prevention of the disease."
The Experts made the opinion while speaking at a seminar on "Culture Sensitive HIV/AIDS Prevention Communication for Behaviour Change" at Goethe-Institute Bangladesh auditorium in the city Wednesday night.
The Goethe-Institut Bangladesh in collaboration with the Institute of Hazrat Muhammad (SM) organised the seminar.
Dr Saima Khan presented a keynote paper at the seminar. Project Management Specialist of Population, Health and Nutrition of USAID Dr Sukumar Sarker, Frank Paulin of Public Health Administration of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dirk Gehl of KfW Kreditanstalt for Wiederaufbau of GTZ, National Consultant of UNAIDS Tony Michael Gomes, Head HIV/Consultant Physician of ICDDRB Brian Cobb and Executive Director of Bandhu Social Welfare Saleh Ahmed addressed, among others, the seminar.
Chief Coordinator of the Institute of Hazrat Muhammad (SM) Habiba Tasneem conducted the seminar.
Dr Sukumar Sarker said without major changes in behaviour and increase in knowledge, spread of the HIV/AIDS cannot be checked and called for a multi-pronged strategy focusing on the media, publication and community-based programmes to address the issue.
Tony Michael said Bangladesh has a low rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence. Collective actions are needed to fight the disease, he added.
He underscored the need for engaging religious and culture platforms in AIDS prevention communications.
Dr Brian Cobb said intervention programmes for those, who are at risk, should be strengthened further.
Other speakers said: "We have to create awareness among people through disseminating accurate messages about HIV/AIDS."
They observed inequality, illiteracy, lack of awareness and proper knowledge about HIV/AIDS, low social status of women, cultural restriction to discuss sex and use of a limited number of condoms are responsible for spreading the disease.