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PENANG, 27 Nov. 2013 - People need to understand Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) better to banish the stigma and discrimination against the epidemic and its victims.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey said that discrimination and negative views on AIDS and HIV transmission frequently occurred because they are often associated with immorality.

She said the disease can infect humans in several ways including injection drug use, promiscuous sex and sexual practices of same sort.

“However, be cautioned that there are still many who are victims of this epidemic without engaging in risky behavior and immoral acts.

“Men, women, teens and children are among those who often become victims as a result of risky behavior of other family members. However, this group will receive the same stigma and discrimination of people because of their contracting HIV/AIDS,” she said.

She said this in her speech during the launching of the HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Week held by USM in conjunction with World AIDS Day 2013 here today.

Also present at the ceremony were the Director of USM Pusat Sejahtera, Dr. Nurulain Abdullah Bayanuddin, and AIDS Action Research Group (AARG) Convenor, School of Social Sciences, Dr. Azlinda Azman.

She added that recognising the stigma and discrimination, HIV/AIDS awareness week with the theme “Spread the Message, Not the Virus” was held to provide accurate and extensive knowledge to the local community.

She added that USM is an institution that is seen to play a role in the dissemination of accurate information to the youth who forms the pillar of the next generation.

“The campus community and its surrounding areas in particular should be clear of the HIV/AIDS, on how it is transmitted, and provide encouragement and support to patients.

“With the right information about HIV/AIDS, people will be able to reduce stigma and discrimination against these victims.

“USM also hope that through this programme, information will be disseminated to the campus community on external support system that provides health care and preventative treatment available in the campus,” she said.

In the meantime, Nurulain said USM Pusat Sejahtera is always ready in providing assistance and support to people living with HIV/AIDS in the university community.

“If there is any party who is at risk or infected with HIV/AIDS, please come forward and ask for help from the Pusat Sejahtera including aspects of treatment and moral support,” she said. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa