06/12/2025
INTEGRATION MUST GO BEYOND POLICY TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE .
It is concerning that some government-paid health workers still hesitate or refuse to attend to people living with HIV, especially within our Regional Referral Hospitals. This exposes a serious gap in how the “integration” of HIV services has been implemented.
Integration was meant to promote equality, dignity, and convenience for all patients. However, the persistent stigma many of us continue to face shows that the concept has not been fully internalised in practice. People living with HIV are taxpayers and citizens who deserve respectful, timely, and compassionate care—just like anyone else.
The consequences of this gap are already visible. Many adolescents and young people have become untraceable and have dropped out of care. This not only puts their own lives at risk but also increases the likelihood of ongoing HIV transmission within communities. If health facilities remain unwelcoming or stigmatizing, more young people will continue to disengage from treatment.
While we acknowledge the government’s financial constraints, the rapid rollout of integration without adequate human resources and proper training has created serious challenges. Many health workers were not sufficiently prepared or oriented to provide HIV-related services, leading to delays, negative attitudes, and discriminatory practices at service points.
For integration to be meaningful, we need continuous professional development, stronger supervision, and deliberate efforts to address stigma among health workers. Achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 requires that our health facilities become safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental spaces for everyone—especially young people.
People living with HIV are part of the fabric of this nation. We contribute to its growth, we participate in its development, and we deserve the highest standard of care. Let us prioritise humanity, professionalism, and dignity in every health interaction.
