Download this publication - AIDS Data Hub

(“As I’ve been admitted to the ward in Kota Baru Hospital [for] about threeweeks, I think, there was a little problem there on the part of the nurses.They like to tell stories [talk] about us to others.”)(Male, 39yrs, University education, DU)“Yeah, private hospital. So my boss sent me to the hospital and everythingand aaah…..when I was diagnosed for HIV ah….. my surprise is ah…..my doctor told my boss and that I was HIV positive. After one week Iwent to work, you know, my boss call me inside and then wrote twocheques and then he said, “This is your salary and this…..this is youknow, something I want to give to you”. And then he said ah…. “I giveyou a choice lah since you having HIV all the other staff are notcomfortable working with you. So, maybe you can write a resignationletter”. Then I told him, “Boss, this is not a choice!” I wrote theresignation letter and finish…..”(Male, 36yrs, Upper secondary education, DU)In fact, there are administrative practices that have the effect of subverting any policy orlaw on confidentiality with regards to HIV. In this study, participants complained aboutthe differentiation of their hospital record files by colour at the clinic they attend – onecolour for HIV patients and another colour for all others. It goes, literally, withoutsaying, that this reveals their HIV status. The same applies to the segregation of HIVinfectedpatients in the ward and, and in prison following inmates’ diagnoses. The sexworkers in this study who have been in prison said that, at that time, their food trays weremarked with the words “HIV”. The segregation itself discloses their status to otherprisoners. While this may protect them from other prisoners, particularly for men, theproblem trails them when they are released because fellow inmates know of their statusand tell others outside about their HIV status.Health behaviourSince all of the participants were recruited through NGOs, most have access to healthcareservices and regular medical check-up. Healthcare services are obtained at Governmenthospitals for the most part. Men, in particular, seem to regularly monitor their status andare aware of their CD4 count. This includes refugees who obtain medical care from theGeneral Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GHKL).The exceptions are sex workers and active drug users. Although they use facilities (dropincentre or shelter) provided by NGOs, it was evident that SWs and DUs do not seekhealthcare regularly. Some of the SWs are active drug users as well. They tend to seekhealthcare only when they fall ill:“Kalau saya sakit, saya pergi Ikhlas [NGO] je lah – ambil ubat.”(“If I’m sick, I’ll go to Ikhlas – pick up medicine.”)(Female, 40yrs, Primary education, SW)“Sebab kita hisap dadah mah….tak ada masa nak pergi hospital!”39