THE reception hall was filled with the chattering and laughter of adults as well as the squeals of little children.

This reception was no different from any other family gathering organised by any other community from any social status, colour or creed, except that most of those who were present were HIV positive, many of whom came together on this day to commemorate the International AIDS Memorial Day (IAMD).

On every third Sunday of May since 1983, IAMD is celebrated by HIV/AIDS volunteers and activist as well as People Living with HIV (PLHIV) to commemorate those who had died from the deadly virus.

Since 1983, many campaigns and public talks have been organised by both non-government organisations and government agencies on the disease.

However, 25 years down the road, there is still much confusion and misunderstanding about it; how it is transmitted as well the myths on the sorts of people who get infected.

Despite public health campaigns, many still fear that they may get infected by sharing utensils or even through casual everyday contact with someone who is HIV positive.

Which is why apart from being a memorial, IAMD also serves as a platform to mobilise HIV/AIDS activists, PLHIVs, and to inform and educate members of the public about HIV/AIDS.

All levels of society need to realise the importance of tackling issued related to HIV/AIDS so that positive actions, actions that help sustain society as whole can be made upon those issues.

Since the disease was first reported in 1989, the number of HIV and AIDS cases in Sarawak stands at 771 and 389 respectively (State Health Department AIDS/STI Section, October 2007).

These figures have made HIV/AIDS one of the major public health concerns in the state.

With the theme ‘Never Give Up, Never Forget’, the celebration this year was even more special as it was organised by a peer support group for PLHIVs called HOPE.

HOPE was formed under the umbrella of Sarawak AIDS Concern Society.

Looking at the people present at the gathering, one would not have guessed that these laughter and squeals are from individuals who had been put out of favour by members of their families and communities for being HIV positive.

No one would have guessed that some of them were once on the brink of death when their body’s immune system plunged way below that of a healthy person.

Who would have guessed that the bubbly socialite amongst the crowd was once suicidal when informed of her HIV status.

And who would have thought that the charming little boy whose squeals filled up the whole room is HIV positive.

Like all IAMD events, this reception serves as a platform for all PLHIVs to get to know each other and to provide comfort and reassurance for the days to come.

Being in that same room, one could not help but felt touched if not empowered by their strength to carry on and by their hope for the future despite their condition.

Surely, many of those present were thinking of their loved ones who had passed on while some were emotionally bracing themselves for the days to come.

As the ceremony comes to an end, many guests and PLHIVs alike can go back to their every day lives.

But for the PLHIVs, they have to brace themselves as they step out amongst society.

As painful as the disease may be, perhaps the most painful is the persistent stigmatisation and discrimination PLHIVs face in their daily lives, borne from ignorance, indifference and prejudice.

Until everyone learns to understand the complexity of the issues related to HIV/AIDS, and realises that the fight against it is not the fight of the PLHIVs alone but the fight of the whole community, this epidemic will continue to come knocking at our door, more frequently than ever.

This article was contributed by the Sarawak AIDS Concern Society in conjunction with the 25th International AIDS Memorial Day commemoration on May 24, 2008, in Kuching.

3rd Voice is a regular feature

initiated by AZAM and Sarawak Development Institute. Feedback can be sent to paulina@azam.org.my