AIDS, the word which rings disaster has been included in the report submitted by the International federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which called on the government and humanitarian agencies to pay more attention to AIDS in their response to natural disaster and armed conflicts.

AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a fatal disease that attacks the human immune system and makes it completely non operational leading to death. However, what makes the disease even more lethal is the stigma attached to it. Intravenous drug users, homosexuals, sex workers and prostitutes are usually the victims of this disease. This is largely attributed to the lack of information about AIDS amongst these sections of the society. Even after being diagnosed with the disease they are left untreated due to the fear on the part of doctors and nurses of contracting the disease. These people lack even the basic healthcare and preventive facilities which adds to their woes.

Perhaps this is the reason that the International federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent decided to term the disease a global disaster. With this they have taken a step ahead in ensuring better care for the AIDS patients and removal of some of the stigma attached to the disease in the society. Speaking on the issue Federation specialist Mukesh Kapila said,

Government services are overwhelmed by the need for support and treatment, stigma still prevents access for many, even where services exist, and communities are devastated by its effects.

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Via: Reuters264506