As an entrepreneur and a social activist I firmly believe that common citizens should be involved in projects related to community health in order to make a difference.
CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is caused by HIV or human immunodeficiency virus which attacks our immune system at a cellular level and leads to its progressive deterioration making its victims vulnerable to all kinds of opportunistic infections and conditions, together termed as AIDS defining diseases.
Awareness regarding the symptoms, ways of transmission and how to prevent infection are vital to stop the progress of the pandemic named AIDS. Unfortunately, few people are possess right knowledge regarding AIDS/HIV leading to growth of myths and rumours about it that only fuels the prejudices against AIDS patients. It is not uncommon to hear stories of people being rejected by friends and family members or fired from their jobs once knowledge of their disease came out in the open. HIV positive persons are therefore left to fend against both the havoc inflicted by the disease and discrimination imposed by society all alone.
Social discrimination and prejudices against AIDS patients are closely linked with bias against certain lifestyles and social groups that are perceived in popular culture to be associated with the disease. Often strong prejudices about AIDS/HIV are translated into and fuel bias against homosexuality, bisexuality, promiscuity and intravenous drug use. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, sex workers, drug addicts and other socially marginalized groups are identified as responsible for spread of the disease leading to further bias and often violent behaviour against these groups.
Dr Korak Kahali,
Chairman,
Aidsawarenesskolkata.org.
