CYPRUS is lacking a support scheme for AIDS sufferers, who are still living under social exclusion along with their families and have difficulty finding work, the House Human Rights Committee was told yesterday.
During the discussion to mark World AIDS day today, MPs realised Cyprus was still way behind most developed countries when it came to preventing, treating and generally supporting sufferers.
According to official figures, from 1986 until 2009, 640 people or 0.1 per cent of the population – have been registered as AIDS sufferers in Cyprus
Of these 327 were Cypriots – 284 men and 43 women – while 264 of those registered were foreigners.
“In 2009 alone, there were 38 new cases, of which 26 are permanent residents in Cyprus,” said Committee Chairman, DIKO’s Sophocles Fyttis. He added that 46 per cent of total patients had contracted the virus through homosexual relations, 44 per cent from heterosexual contact, and the rest from other sources, such as sharing needles, or blood transfusions.
“How are these people supported?” said Fyttis. “Not just when they find out, but in the aftermath…and what about their families?”
The Committee heard that the government’s strategic plan for AIDS was centred on seven basic aspects: preventing the spread of the disease through sexual intercourse, drug abuse, prenatal transmission, blood transfusions, offering care to those affected, reducing personal and social consequences, and protecting the patients’ human rights.
However, Fyttis said sufferers were still being subjected to social exclusion and were having difficulty finding work.
“The state offers them priority in 10 professions, but they are marginalised and they don’t want them as coastguards, night guards, gardeners and other such professions,” said Fyttis. “There are problems with employment, a complete lack of education and prevention.”
“After joining the European family, Cyprus has been registered as one of the most important multicultural destinations,” said Fyttis. “For this reason, society generally – local and foreign – must be continuously informed so that prevention is our most basic armour.”
He added, “AIDS cannot be cured, but with medication someone can live for many years and with a good quality of life. But it is generally accepted that the best form of therapy is prevention.”
The Committee has decided to visit Larnaca General Hospital’s Gregorion Clinic, which treats AIDS sufferers, next Tuesday and meet again at the start of next year – in the presence of the Health and Defence Ministers – to discuss how sufferers are treated and what measures need to be taken.
It was also mentioned that 25 million have died internationally from the virus so far, while 33 million people have been infected.
“The main problem is the social stigma,” said AKEL’s Dina Akkelidou. “This provokes social exclusion and exclusion from the workforce. It is important to combat this stigma, through correct education.”
She said it was a common misconception that the disease only affects men and homosexuals. “But it affects women as well and this needs to occupy us; we have to aim our attentions at women, what they need to do and how to protect themselves,” said Akkelidou, adding that data showed there had been an increase in reported cases among women in Eastern Europe.
