The growing advancement in the field of medical science is equally countered by the growth of new variants of deadly diseases. Modern civilisation has also brought with it modern civilisational hazards. In the recent decade, we have seen the Zika virus, Ebola virus, and Cancer which affects the lives of millions. One of all those new diseases is the growth of HIV aids. In 2018, 37.9 million people were living with HIV Aids and 107 million were newly affected. UNAIDS 2018 reports that there were 2.1 million people in India suffering from HIV aids in 2017. India is the third-largest HIV epidemic in the world. These diseases, even though so widespread, are considered a taboo in many countries. People who get affected with HIV aids, Swine flu, et cetera become socially segregated. The victim dies more by the psychological side effects than by the disease itself.
The most important factor that contributes to the formation of taboo around these diseases is the lack of awareness about the disease. In recent years, many organisations and personalities are working to create awareness about the diseases and their symptoms. One such example is Northeastern University public health expert, Jean McGuire, whose work and efforts helped create pressure in President George H.W. Bush to sign the CARE Act into law on Aug. 18, 1990. Governments all across the nation have a fundamental duty of creating laws that enable the victims and patients to fight such deadly diseases psychologically, socially and financially. Many organisations are working to create awareness in this regard, namely the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Priyadarshini Seva Mandali, Neptune Foundation, et cetera. The works of these organisations have created a major shift in the treatment of these victims. The society is gradually changing with the growth of literacy and awareness about these diseases and problems. The change is slow but progressive.
Nafis Haider
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