More work is needed to destigmatise patients in Bahrain living with human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and humanise them to enable them to live the best lives possible, a top expert said yesterday.
Speaking at the Bahrain International Conference on Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare, being held at the Gulf Convention Centre in Manama, Arabian Gulf University associate professor and infectious disease specialist Dr Jameela Al Salman said that steps need to be taken to educate people on the disease and encourage high-risk individuals to test for it to avoid it spreading.
“People living with the disease deserve dignity and respect, and it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and others about the realities of living with it,” she said.
“These people face a lot of challenges such as discrimination, isolation and a fear of disclosure.
“When the diagnosis is revealed to them, a lot of patients start shaking, thinking that their lives are over, and a lot of them pray that they don’t run into anyone they know in the hospital, which is a possibility since Bahrain is a small country.
“But even with the disease, people can live long fulfilling lives with the use of modern medication.”
According to a 2023 report by UNAIDS, around 40 million people worldwide live with HIV. The Middle East and North Africa region is estimated to have an estimated 210,000 patients, a low number compared to the rest of the world.
It is not all good news, however, because according to a study, there has been a whopping 116 per cent increase in infections in the region between 2010 and 2023. In comparison, the global average during these 13 years was a 39pc decrease.
As it stands, there are no official numbers yet for Bahrain. However, it is estimated to be only about 0.1pc of the country’s population for now, although many stigmas against patients still remain prevalent.
Dr Al Salman believes educating people on methods of transmission could go a long way in starting to dispel such stigmas.
.jpg)
Dr Al Salman
“It can be transmitted through bodily fluids from sexual activity, blood, breast milk, sharing needles or syringes, and even though its a low risk, by tears as well,” she said.
“It cannot be transmitted by saliva, urine or faeces, air, water, sweat, kissing, pets, or sharing toilets, food or drink.
“Even in terms of sexual activity, there are high risk and low risk activities that you should ask your doctor about.”
She also emphasised the importance of testing for the disease as it is the only reliable way to determine for sure if people have the virus or not.
“Symptoms include fever, sore throat, body rash, swollen glands, headache, upset stomach, joint pains, muscle pain to name a few,” she said.
“But a lot of those symptoms could easily mean something else, so testing is the only sure-fire way.
“Early diagnosis gives you a better chance of living a long and healthy life, so start treatment as soon as possible.”
Finally, she had a message for those people in Bahrain and the region who are living with the disease as well as the stigma associated with it.
“There is no need to feel guilt, you do not have to hide your diagnosis, and most importantly, you are not worthless just because you have HIV,” she said.
“You are entitled to the same rights as any other patient in Bahrain.
“It will take a while for people’s mentality to change admittedly which is why I recommend having self-testing kits available in Bahrain as soon as possible.
“But regardless, you are entitled to a long life just like everybody else.”
&uuid=(email))