HIV Stigma still rife in Health Facilities

 In every workshop, fellowship or HIV related forum the story goes as: "stigma is a thing of the past!" But reports from Comprehensive Care Centers have a different story. Stigma is rife in health facilities though the least expected.

This has had enormous effects on the enrollment of expectant mothers in the Comprehensive Care Centers (CCC) for fear of being embarrassed by health workers or their HIV status being exposed. In an interview, a CCC client had this to say: " I have to travel more than 3km to get a more friendly center where the health workers don't intimidate me."

Some health workers have been reported to abuse the dignity and rights of People Living with HIV by asking embarrassing questions such as why PLWA choose to get pregnant. This abuse has prompted many HIV+ mothers to decline to attend the Anti natal clinics and they end up delivering their babies at home.
The question of the mushrooming Traditional Birth Attendants seems to have an answer in as much as many government medical officers decry the practice.

The three parties however need a consensus. This is in an effort to stop further transmission where the TBAs are at a risk of getting infected while in their practice and the medical officers making appropriate use of the TBAs. The client needs proper sensitization to enable them know the importance of disclosure and how to adress abuse from health facilities.
The battle against stigma rages on but a change of weapons may do some trick!