[WCUSP] Fwd: Once rare, HIV/AIDS spreads in Iraq (IRIN 11/30)

[yvonne simmons]

--- pjw at agora.rdrop.com wrote:

> Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2006 14:12:50 -0800 (PST)
> From: pjw at agora.rdrop.com
> To: Peace and Justice Works <pjw at pjw.info>
> CC: Ann Huntwork <ann at solh-salaam.com>
> Subject: Once rare, HIV/AIDS spreads in Iraq (IRIN
> 11/30)
> 
> Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:18:19 -0800 (PST) From:
> jim rissman
> 
> 
>
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/e51db95348af894b0a917443dbee922c.htm
> IRAQ: Um Khalid, Iraq "Men here believe they are
> immune to the disease"
> 
> BAGHDAD, 30 November (IRIN) - Iraq has traditionally
> had one of the lowest 
> incidences of HIV/AIDS in the Middle East. This
> started to slowly change 
> after the US-led invasion in 2003 brought hundreds
> of foreigners into the 
> country, opening the doors for the spread of the
> virus, health workers 
> say.
> 
> The Baghdad-based AIDS Research Centre said that new
> cases are appearing 
> monthly and with the current chaos in the public
> health services, patients 
> might suffer severely with the lack of appropriate
> medicines.
> 
> Nearly 100 Iraqis with AIDS have registered with the
> centre but 
> authorities believe that about twice this number
> exist who have not 
> registered.
> 
> Um Khalid (not her real name) caught the virus from
> her husband, who 
> frequently had sexual relations with sex workers.
> After discovering his 
> disease, he left his wife with three young children
> and travelled abroad.
> 
> "I am one of the many victims of HIV in Iraq. My
> husband betrayed me. At 
> least if he had used condoms with the prostitute, I
> would not be sick 
> today. This is a common problem in Iraq because men
> here believe they are 
> immune to the disease. I worry for the hundreds of
> young men who think 
> like this and will be the next victims of the
> prostitutes who contaminate 
> my country.
> 
> "Since my husband left me, I support my three
> children by myself. My 
> health is getting worse every day, especially
> because the only centre in 
> Iraq for AIDS treatment is lacking some medicines
> and I cannot afford the 
> rest [available in the private sector].
> 
> "I don't worry if I die because it will be my
> destiny. But I just think 
> about my children who will become orphans without
> anyone to take care of 
> them. My [extended] family has abandoned us, saying
> that my disease could 
> be passed on to other family members and [they
> believe] my children are 
> sick for sure.
> 
> "I know it is hard in a Muslim country like Iraq to
> speak about condoms 
> and sexual relations out of marriage, but it is the
> reality in the country 
> and the government should do more to prevent young
> people having the same 
> destiny that I now have."
> 


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