Let AIDS speak for itself

I am dismayed by the lack of AIDS education among rural South Africans. I am working at a rural hospital in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The number of HIV-infected patients is overwhelming the number of AIDS patients frightening and the number of HIV-related deaths macabre. Perhaps the most alarming thing is peoples lack of knowledge about this disease. The disease is hushed up as much as possible. Confidentiality is taken too far. People are unaware for example that their father is dying of AIDS that their uncle died of it the previous year and that their newborn sibling is in the hospital suffering from an HIV-related illness. Even more astounding is that the nursing staff is unaware that the patients they are caring for are HIV-infected as this status is recorded on the case sheets in various cryptic codes. Our AIDS team comprising 4 nurses is unable to tackle the arduous task of AIDS education in our district with a population of over 100000 people. The staff shortage is nationwide. The controversial AIDS play in my opinion contributed very little to AIDS education. The true heart of education lies in peoples seeing those close to them suffering and dying from AIDS and knowing that they have AIDS. Only then will they be motivated to find out more about this killer disease. Respect confidentiality but encourage openness. As doctors dont be afraid to make the diagnosis even if the patient refuses the test. Clinical grounds are sufficient. Dont be afraid to write "AIDS" boldly on case sheets and as the cause on death certificates. I believe that confidentiality does not lie beyond the grave. Let the close relatives know that the patient died of AIDS. Let the disease speak for itself. (full text)