Starting to get the feel of being a medical student in the University of Leeds Medical School.
I'm thankful that Allah has chosen me to be here and to have this golden opportunity.
On to the topic, yesterday i had an opportunity to meet a man, who is HIV positive. We were in small groups and were given the chance to hear about the discrimination and stigma put upon them. He happen contracted the virus about a year ago, due to a stabbing incident. And he got sacked... Even his family turn his back on him. When warded, they place a sign (not a subtle one, according to him) stating that he's HIV positive. Is it the right treatment for them? Aren't they human who deserve the same treatment from other?
The medication taken to control HIV have nasty side-effects: severe depression, diarrhea, dizziness and many other side effects. There are a myraid of effects which differs between drugs. He told us that he understands why some people with HIV choose not to take medication instead.
Of course HIV is can spread to others. But surely not by touching or being in the same room with them. Some maybe made a wrong choice in their life, but who hasn't? A portion of HIV positive even got them by accident. Wrong blood transfusion, exposure to infected blood, etc. Is it justifiable then to assume that they are all bad people, because HIV is kind related to drug abuse and random sex. Both are haram according to Islam, yet treatment centres (is this the right term for pusat serenti?) in Malaysia are still flooded with Malays, something to think about.
What puzzles me is even in the western culture where drug usage and having fun are more acceptable, people with HIV are still discriminated against.
Don't get me wrong, I'm merely suggesting for us to open our minds and look at the matter from a wider view. Not even hinting to accept any wrong behavior. What's wrong stays wrong. But why not help a needy hand? I'm sure getting HIV is a harsh enough punishment, why must the society sentence them to a life-long hardship?
Actually meeting him and speaking, asking questions really made me more aware of the situation they're facing. And he is no different to other people. Maybe even better because he cannot consume alcohol due to the type of medication he's on.
