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"Love, not shun, AIDS patients"
The
Star (www.thestar.com.my)
(09/12/05)
KUCHING: The public has been reminded not to shun HIV/AIDS patients as this
may result in their transmitting the disease silently to others.
Red Crescent Society Sarawak nursing superintendent Matron Fu Choon Kee said
these people needed to be helped with love and care.
“Counselling will help them to think positively in dealing with the
disease,” she said yesterday after the launch of a campaign to commemorate
World AIDS Day at the City South Council building here.
Fu, whose voluntary counselling work with HIV/AIDS patients won her the Dr
Siti Hasmah Award 2004, said public awareness on HIV/AIDS was still low in
the state.
“We have carried out surveys in towns and there are people who ask if
Sarawak has AIDS cases,” she said.
Statistics show that of the 554 HIV-positive cases reported to the state
Health Department as of Oct 31, 250 developed AIDS and 115 died.
The number of new cases detected among young Sarawakians is on the rise and
over 60% of them were infected through heterosexual activities.
Mayor Chan Seng Khai launched the month-long campaign organised by the Red
Crescent Stampin Chapter with the theme “Wise up. Wear it. Where is yours?”
The campaign aimed at getting more people to wear red ribbons and spreading
knowledge about HIV/AIDS, how to prevent infection and transmission and ways
to help patients.
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