UNDP Programme on HIV/AIDS holds lectures for future doctors and lawyers on how to deal with clients living with HIV.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan ( March 2, 2010 г.) — UNDP Programme “Support to the Government in Response to HIV in the KR” has launched a series of lectures for students of law and medical departments on legal aspects of HIV/AIDS in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Next lecture will be held on March 3, in the International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK) at 10 a.m. and is open for press.
Ilim Sadykov, Coordinator on Legislation in the UNDP Programme on HIV/AIDS and designer of the course, notes that lack of knowledge about legal foundations related to HIV/AIDS among medical workers and lawyers impedes the country’s efforts against the pandemic.
“Lack of information about legal aspects leads to stigma and discrimination by medical workers against people living with HIV (PLWH), as well as to shortage of lawyers capable of defending rights of PLWH competently,” Ilim Sadykov says.
Experts suggest that working with future doctors and lawyers in the universities when they develop their relationship to potential clients, including PLWH, is crucial.
As of February 1, 2010, Kyrgyzstan had 2772 officially registered cases of HIV, most of who are young people.
UNDP Programme on HIV/AIDS launched the series of lectures for law and medical departments to develop approaches for drafting a module on HIV and human rights for universities. In case this module is tested successfully, it might be integrated into university curriculum.
Kudaibergenov Esentur, a junior of the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, who attended the lecture on state and legal regulations of issues related to HIV and AIDS, said he knew close to nothing about this problem before.
“I heard that PLWH are discriminated, but did not realize what to do about it. Now I know that we have laws that protect rights of such people, and everyone – including medical workers – has to respect it,” Esentur said.
Future chemist Romanova Rauza also thinks the lectures contribute to personal development and help to understand that not only right treatment, but correct and ethical behavior with patients can save lives. Rauza believes that along with subjects on medicine, students should be taught professional ethics and law in medicine.
“As a future doctor, I can say that positive results on HIV test can seriously traumatize people. This is why doctors should have special approach to such patients, understand and respect them, and avoid discrimination,” Rauza says.
UNDP Programme on HIV/AIDS helps the Government of Kyrgyzstan to reduce vulnerability of population to HIV by promoting human rights and gender equality. The Programme is reaching this goal by suggesting improvements to legislation related to PLWH, by strengthening capacity of national partners in their response to pandemic and by introducing training modules on HIV and human rights into higher education system. Incorporation of sessions on HIV/AIDS into educational institutions is guaranteed by the government.
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.
Learn more from Elina Karakulova at 300215 or ek@aids.gov.kg
