Somalia battles with HIV stigma

eNCA
Saturday, November 30, 2013

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World Aids Day saw people across the globe unite in the fight against HIV/Aids.

However, in Somalia, the stigma attached to the virus means it would likely get little attention.

Officially, less than one percent of people in Somalia live with HIV, it seems a phenomenal feat but there are doubts as to whether the statistics are believable.

There is still a huge stigma attached to the virus in the conservative Muslim society.

Few get tested as it is associated with promiscuity, while those who do keep their status a secret.

A man living with the virus who confided in his neighbours, was instead forced out of the neighbourhood and his children were kicked out of school.

A hospital in Mogadishu said it does not stock ARVs because some patients would discharge themselves once they discovered HIV positive people received treatment at their facilities.

At Banadir hospital, nurses call patients by number not names to protect their identities.

Like most hospitals, it receives no government support and is funded by local and international aid organisations as the state cannot afford awareness campaigns.

Banadir Hospital HIV/Aids Director, Lul Mohamed said: "We request the Global Aids Fund to increase resources to enable us to roll out awareness campaigns on HIV/Aids. This information is vital because it will help people understand the cause of this disease and how they can prevent themselves from getting infected."

If nothing is done, HIV/Aids could spread in the country with no one knowing just how prevalent the virus is.

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