Friday March 29th, 2024
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New National Campaign 'Like Any Disease' Raises Awareness of HIV/AIDS

The national ‘Like Any Disease’ campaign promotes the social inclusion of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Egypt.

Cairo Scene

New National Campaign 'Like Any Disease' Raises Awareness of HIV/AIDS

In light of World AIDS Day in the beginning of December, the Egyptian government has launched the ‘Like Any Disease’ campaign as part of a nationwide effort to raise awareness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and dispel common misconceptions and stigmas surrounding the disease. The campaign is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Population’s National AIDS Control Program, the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and Egyptian pharmaceuticals company Eva Pharma.

Through medical services and instigating public dialogue, the campaign aims to dismantle the social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, reframing it as a medical condition rather than a matter of shame and discrimination - one that can discourage people from seeking diagnosis and critical, life-saving treatment. The partnership is set to provide people infected with HIV/AIDS with confidential and free clinical services across Egyptian governorates’ specialised hospitals, as well as counselling, examination, and social support services for patients and their families.

The campaign’s educational programs will also help fight discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS, and spread knowledge about the various methods of transmission through social media platforms.

The National AIDS Control Program is also publicising their hotlines for people with HIV or have any questions about the disease, which are 0233152802, 0233152801, and 09007008000.