Broaden HIV/AIDS policy (Gleaner Letter 10.08.10)

The Editor, Sir:

Writing in The Gleaner of July 31, Reporter Daraine Luton, recalls some words of Senator Sandrea Falconer, addressing the Senate on Jamaica's national HIV policy for the workplace. Luton quotes Falconer as saying, "We need to look at how persons with HIV/AIDS are discriminated against in places of public accommodation. We have to put in place a policy that they cannot deny goods or service to persons whom they believe are living with HIV/AIDS."

National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson, in agreeing with Senator Falconer, echoed similar sentiments and requested that the HIV and AIDS workplace policy be expanded to include, for example, workers in the agricultural sector.

According to Nelson, a report from the International Labour Organisation indicates that some 16 million persons in the sector are in danger of being infected with HIV. In a bipartisan spirit, both Falconer and Nelson are in agreement that the existing policy on HIV and AIDS has not gone far enough to address the entirety of the vulnerable population in Jamaica.

In keeping with Jesus' advocacy for vulnerable persons in society (Luke 4:16-22), Falconer expressed the view that social stigma needs to be addressed, as a matter of urgency, in the overall response to persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

A few weeks ago, a caller to a radio programme indicated that, if he knew someone who was HIV positive, working as a chef in a restaurant, he would not want to eat in that establishment.

Pressed by the host of the programme to explain the reason for his response, the caller indicated the possibility of being infected with HIV. He felt the infected person may get a cut and the blood contaminate the food and thereby pass on the infection.

The caller obviously was not aware that HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, cannot live outside the human body for any extended period of time. In addition, the caller was not aware that subject to the temperature under which cooking is done, HIV could not survive.

It is a lack of information about HIV and AIDS, and the attendant negative behaviour that often follows as a consequence, that Senator Falconer refers to as social stigma. Social stigma can only be addressed through the provision of correct information and a change in negative behaviour towards persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Jesus addressed a similar social stigma, that of leprosy in his time, as he reached out, touched and healed persons who were infected and affected. One of the direct consequences of infection with leprosy was separation from family and community as a direct result of stigma and discrimination. As God's agent of reconciliation, Jesus acted in favour of restoring separated and alienated persons with leprosy into fellowship with the community (St Luke 17:11-19).

Broadening the HIV and AIDS policy is necessary, and, as Senator Nelson reiterated, the long-outstanding legislation on HIV should be enacted soon.

I am, etc.,
Rev GARTH MINOTT
g.minott@gmail.com