People with HIV suffer discrimination by doctors
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Members of the Korean Network for People Living with HIV during a workshop/ Courtesy of Son Moon-su
By Kim Se-jeong
Son Moon-su tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 20 years ago after having sex with a man.
He chose not to tell his mother and sister ― he lost his father much earlier ― but soon they got to know about it because a local doctor stopped by to check on him at home.
He is now living alone in Seoul and works for the Korean Network for People Living with HIV, a human rights group for HIV-infected people. His mother passed away four years ago and he hasn’t seen his sister since.
He visits the National Medical Center (NMC) for an HIV medication prescription every three months ― the NMC is one of the main facilities for HIV and AIDS patients. When he has other medical problems, he also turns to the NMC, instead of going to a local clinic.
“In 2007, I went to see a dentist. He was about to begin working on my teeth, but when I told him about my condition, he stopped the procedure and recommended I to go to a bigger hospital,” Son said.
At the NMC, he feels more relaxed. “I know everyone, and they know me,” he said. However he is not always treated well.
He described what is like when he tries to see doctors in other departments. “I am either rejected or I am the last to see the doctor.” This makes him angry each time it happens. “I complain out of anger, and they say they’ll change, but they never change.”
According to a new report released by the UNAIDS, Son was not alone in facing discrimination by doctors and nurses.
According to the HIV Stigma Index in South Korea 2016-2017, almost 30 percent of the respondents said “affirmatively” they’d avoid going to see a doctor in fear of discrimination. The UNAIDS and its Korean partners surveyed 104 people with HIV about their previous 12 months of experience.
The index also showed almost 17 percent of the respondents said doctors and nurses revealed their HIV status to other people without their consent ― healthcare professionals are obliged to keep patients’ medical conditions confidential. Seventy-three percent said they were unsure doctors and nurses would put efforts to keep their HIV status secret.
“They (health care workers, health practitioners) should understand that the stigma of HIV/AIDS can be exacerbated by their own conduct and they should be constantly mindful of the responsibility to promote the human rights of people living with HIV. In particular, the confidentiality of HIV status and universal precautions must be observed through the entire duration of care,” the UNAIDS said in a recommendation.
The National Human Rights Commission survey also confirmed discrimination by doctors and nurses.
Almost 40 percent of respondents experienced doctors and nurses dressing in extra gowns or gloves after learning the patients’ HIV status. Almost 26 percent experienced cancellation of scheduled medical treatments due to their status; and 21.6 percent had to endure verbal abuse against them during their visits.
Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention take care of these patients whose estimated number is 10,000.
The UNAIDS survey results give a glimpse into the negative social conditions of the AIDS patients and people with HIV.
It said 40 percent with HIV chose to live alone, closing themselves off from their families. Only 43.3 percent said they had jobs, either full-time or part-time. Only nine percent of the respondents with jobs said they have disclosed their status but they regretted that they did it because of discriminatory reactions.
The report showed 75 percent of the respondents blamed themselves for the HIV infection, an alarmingly high figure. More than 36 percent had suicidal thoughts. “The level of internal stigma found in South Korea is particularly high,” the report said.
Son said the reason is because “there is a prevalent fear and hatred of people with HIV. It’s often the case that even families don’t accept their own children who are infected.”
Son used to blame himself too but is now more relaxed about it. “I could have prevented it _ that’s as far as my thoughts go now.”
He said the situation can improve only with growing social tolerance. “The media and the internet trigger hatred against us.”