BINTULU: People living with HIV should not be treated differently or worse than others.
In stating this Jepak assemblyman Iskandar Turkee said they deserve equal treatment and respect, stressing that if this equality is achieved, several positive changes will occur such as reducing the stigma of HIV, improving their quality of life, and preventing the spread of HIV.
“Building an inclusive society by giving equal rights to everyone will make us a more tolerant society,” Iskandar added.
According to Iskandar, with the advancement of science and technology, there are now various effective treatment options to extend the life and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.
In conjunction with the celebration of World AIDS Day, he called on all parties — the government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate bodies, and the public — to further strengthen cooperation in efforts to address inequalities related to HIV/AIDS.
“This year, World AIDS Day is celebrated with the theme ‘Enforcing Fair Rights,’ which emphasises justice, equality, and non-discrimination,” he said.
“More specifically, ‘equality’ in the context of HIV/AIDS means that every individual, whether healthy or living with HIV, has the right to receive the same health care, education, employment, and life,” he said in his speech read by ADAP Capital Sendirian Berhad executive chairman, Pengiran Datuk Daud Pengiran Putera in conjunction with the Bintulu Divisional Level World AIDS Day celebration here, on Saturday.
Iskandar also called for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services to be improved so that everyone gets the best services.
“People living with HIV and those at risk are also encouraged to undergo HIV testing and seek treatment, as well as take appropriate preventive measures to protect themselves and their partners from infection,” he said.
Also present was Bintulu Division Health Office Epidemiology Officer Dr Nurul Mufidah Md Nasir.
