Pledge to promote awareness on AIDS
Brunei Darussalam Nurses Association President's (photo) message in conjunction with International Nurses Day today

Dr. Haji Abd Hamit Bin Haji Musa

A Malaysian AIDS Council volunteer hands over safe sex leaflets during an event held to mark World AIDS Day in Kuala Lumpur last December. In Asia, this year alone one million were infected with HIV, while an estimated half a million others died from the disease, according to the United Nations. The stigma associated with the disease has devastating consequences on the carriers. HIV positive people need to be given proper care and attention. AP 

The word HIV/AIDS may spur negative reaction and social stigma among individuals and communities. This year, International Nurses Day carries the theme - "Nurses: Fighting AIDS Stigma - Caring For All". As a member of the International Council for Nurses (ICN), Brunei Darussalam Nurses Association (BDNA/PENJURU) seizes the opportunity to extend and intensify the commitment of the association to strengthen the professional affirmation and pledge in promoting awareness among nurses, midwives, other healthcare providers and the community that "regardless of the status and illness of a person, nurses are caring for all."

This year's theme aims to create better understanding about the disease to all concerned - health professionals and communities. At the same time it also offers strategies on how to prevent or minimise the negative impact of the disease not only among those who unknowingly contracted/infected by the disease but also among the healthcare professionals, families and communities.

Stigmatisation, undoubtedly, may have devastating consequences on individuals, families and society, from psychological, social and economic perspective. Stigmatisation is often associated with blaming the victim and used as a means to justify denial of provision of care and appropriate attention.

In the context of healthcare setting, fear, anxiety and uncertainty about the disease among the healthcare professionals themselves had caused reluctance and avoidance to care for patients, not only those with HIV/AIDS, but also other types of infectious diseases.

The major issue here is the gap in knowledge and understanding about the disease/condition. In this regard, the Brunei Darussalam Nurses Association (BDNA/PENJURU) stresses the need for everyone to be aware and knowledgeable about the disease. For professionals, this would significantly improve their confidence and enhance positive attitude for them to work and deliver care efficiently and effectively. In the process of providing care to patients, it is indeed essential for them to exercise prevention and precautionary measures in all aspects of intervention, such as observing and practicing universal precaution.

It has been realised that insufficient knowledge is part of the creation of problem and evolution of stigmatisation - both to persons affected by HIV/AIDS and those who provide care for them. In addition, the spread of the disease is commonly associated with the most private and intimate act of human being - commonly linked and perceived as resulting from personal behaviour. Therefore, the need to know more about the disease is ultimately important. Indeed, it is widely known that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. The best available tool that we have now is the existing knowledge related to the methods of prevention that is linked to precautionary practices.

Furthermore, Brunei Darussalam Nurses Association would like to urge all nurses and midwives to strengthen their commitment and capacity to care for all. One must never underestimate the need to acquire and enhance our understanding, knowledge, and skill in fulfilling our professional responsibility if we wish to be competent and successful.

Let us remind ourselves that 'nurses are caring for all'. I would like to thank all nurses and midwives for their continuous support and commitment in caring for others. Congratulations for the hard work and wish you all "Happy Nurses Day 2003".

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin