HIV-AIDS: the battle against ignorance
Published: 26 November, 2008, 05:47
Almost half a million people in Russia have been diagnosed with HIV. But unofficial estimates suggest twice that number have been infected with the virus. Many sick people are afraid to seek help because of the social stigma attached to the illness.
Ahead of World AIDS day on December 1, RT looks at how HIV is affecting regions across the country.
There are wild misconceptions and superstitions surrounding HIV-AIDS. And they are held not just by ordinary people but by medical professionals as well.
People with HIV and their families face discrimination and some have been refused medical treatment under false pretexts.
The situation is aggravated by the fact that about 80 per cent of the HIV sufferers are drug users, who are marginalised by society and criminalised by the law.
Experts in the field say Russia needs more education on how HIV is transmitted as a first step towards fostering tolerance in the broader society.
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