Discrimination against HIV-positive: a wake-up call for society!

Discrimination against HIV-positive: a wake-up call for society!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - on March 1, 2025, on the occasion of the Zero Discrimination Day, SPÖ MP Petra Bayr calls for an end to discrimination against people with HIV. Despite significant medical advances, around 39.9 million people live with the virus worldwide, and in Europe it is over 2.3 million. BayR emphasizes that frightening 70 percent of discrimination cases occur in medical facilities. "It is unacceptable that for fear of rejection, people refrain from using medical help," she criticizes. This stigmatization is not only morally reprehensible, it also endangers health policy by hindering the fight against HIV and AIDS.

like t-online.de , warn UN organizations of this discrimination. In 28 countries, the number of new infections is in danger of increasing due to discriminatory laws and social stigmatization. So many affected people do not dare to go to the doctor, which makes the treatment of infections considerably more difficult. This situation not only endangers the individual health systems, but also the global efforts to eliminate AIDS by 2030. The executive director of Unaids, Winnie Byanyima, therefore demands that "the rights of everyone have to be protected to protect everyone". In many countries, same -sex sex is still criminalized, which can increase the discrimination against these population groups and increase the infection rates.

need for action

BayR calls for comprehensive legal adjustments and better training opportunities for medical staff to reduce prejudices. A society in which people with HIV can live without fear of discrimination can only result from a more open discussion about sexual health. "We have to act decisively and have fact -based discussions," she emphasizes. In view of the alarming global numbers, such as the 630,000 deaths in connection with AIDS in 2023, quick action is essential in order not to endanger public health.