Newspaper Review 2

Date: 1st Dec 08
Title: Time to treat HIV like other diseases [A2]
The Straits Times, Part A.

Outline:
In the previous year, there were 423 new cases of HIV infections. More than 2/3 of the victims were diagnosed when they were in their ‘prime age’, 50 years and younger. They still had many years to live, and working life left. Medicines available today could alleviate their condition and help them to keep Aids at bay, but they can cost up to $1500 a month. The Ministry of Health is unwilling to provide subsidies for these drugs as they do not totally cure the patient using it.

Reflection:
In my opinion, I think that HIV stricken people should be given subsidies for the drugs. It goes against ethics to charge them such a high price for the drugs they need to achieve their goal of leading relatively normal and active lives. Why should other patients, contracting other diseases, have subsidies for their drugs, but not HIV patients? It is so unjust!

I also think that we should treat HIV like other diseases, as the title says. The patients are human like us, just suffering from a disease. Why should that separate and alienate them from the rest of mankind? Besides, some are merely innocent children who contracted HIV from their parents. They should not be condemned!

It is not only morally right, but the Government could stand to gain too. Those people, even though infected with HIV, can still work and contribute for the society. They can still work, and pay their taxes to the Government. It is a win-win situation; both sides stand to gain.

Therefore, I think we should not discriminate HIV patients, instead treating them like how we treat our fellow friends. We must stretch wide our arms, open our minds and welcome them into the normal society. HIV patients are hardly any different from us.

Valerie Lim.