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test...oh...RM500, ok...CD4...and one year time have to (do) live function(test)...this type of test...that quite costly...”(Male, 36 yrs, University education, MSM)To many of the MSM respondents, although relatively of better economic standing thanthe others, paying for medical expenses cuts deeply into their income amongst other preexistingexpenses such as paying for the car and apartment.“...since I take medicine...since June I take medicine...and now I reallystop smoking...OK la...you will think how you going to make moremoney to fill this and that...but of course it beats you financially...becauseI have my commitment to my apartment...car...things and all that. So, Ithink all of us like taking medicine is some kind of financial burden...”(Male, 46 yrs, University education, MSM)“In my case I actually I invested in an apartment...was supposed to be myparents’ old age...and then they can collect rental and all that...after I wasdiagnosed and I have to take medication...during those time, per month itwas RM200...and it was only the medicine you know...and the CD4 (test)was sent outside to specialty lab...and all that was an extra cost...I endedup selling my apartment andusing the money for treatment...and I neverbought another apartment again...and then now...fortunate the medicinehas dropped to such level that is about RM200-300 a month...which ismanageable...”(Male, 46 yrs, University education, MSM)While the MSM respondents could still manage their treatment expenses somewhat,many of the others had to depend on welfare, charitable organisations, or the NGOs suchas Pengasih, KLASS, or the UNCHR for the refugees.HIV/AIDS Policies, Programmes and PLHIV ParticipationAwareness of HIV/AIDS policiesFrom the study, it is clear that people living with HIV/AIDS themselves have their ownopinions as to the level of HIV/AIDS awareness, extent of its acceptance by the public,and their feelings on the gaps and limitations in efforts to raise awareness of the disease.Respondents from the Intravenous Drug User groups, both from urban (Kuala Lumpur)or rural areas (Kota Baru, Kelantan), have very strong feelings about the gaps andlimitations in efforts to raise HIV/AIDS awareness. This could be due to the stereotypingof drug users with HIV/AIDS still prevalent in our society. Several DU respondents fromurban group pointed out historically awareness or knowledge on HIV/AIDS tended tofocus on negative aspects such as HIV kills and the media portrayal of HIV/AIDS isinevitably of death - pictures of hospitals, the bedridden, and the dying conjuring fearversus educating public to understand people living with HIV/AIDS. They furtherexplained that although the authorities realise their mistake and aims to change theapproach now, it is not going to be easy to suddenly dispel such fears long instilled in thepublic. The way to dispel fears and discrimination against HIV/AIDS is to constantly71