Discrimination in Medical and Workforce, Article Writing Example

Background

Studies suggest “even though equal access to healthcare is available, this same access does not always guarantee equal treatment of HIV/AIDS clients”[1] (Backman et al, 2008). The importance of the human rights that are due to the HIV/AIDS population that are being denied or overlooked in the medical industry. Moreover, the lack of proper access to medications and treatment for HIV/Aids patients is a serious problem in today’s society.  Other data suggest that “there is also a lack of ethical practices in the protection of infected patient’s privacy” [2](Mann, 1998).

AIDS/HIV discrimination manifests itself in all different forms and at different rates in different countries, communities, religious groups and sectors around the world. The stigma makes it very difficult for people with the illness to manage their disease personally as to fight the epidemic as a whole.  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon says:[3]”Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world” “The Stigma Factor”.

With regard to HIV/ AIDS, the stigma may be the actual infection or may be based on behaviour believed to lead to the infection.  With regard to HIV/ AIDS, the stigma may be the actual infection or may be based on behaviour believed to lead to the infection.

Discrimination in rendering health care to patients with HIV/AIDS is seen in denial of care, especially obstetrics and surgical care to many patients (Bhargava, 1998). Fear of infection is also responsible for actions such as isolation of HIV patients, neglect and discrimination. Poor quality of testing facilities and mandatory testing in woman in case of HIV positive husbands are some of the other discriminating practices followed (Bharat, 1999).” “Healthcare Industries”. Often in hospitals the patient’s universal right to confidentiality is breached by doctors, nurses and other medical staff professionals. Universal practices are never in place- instead the personnel often perform irrational procedures and activities like use of gloves and AIDS kit even in non invasive procedures and activities like giving food or medicines to the patients. “These practices are often not only financial burden, but also discriminatory and stigmatizing for the patient and families. About 90% of people with HIV live in developing countries and have no access to any scientifically proven treatment for the infection.” [4]“Healthcare Industries”.   Statistics show that when patients were given access to hospitals and clinics and lower costs medical facilities the risk of infection was tremendously lowered.

Reasons for Discrimination

Discrimination exists because most hospitals lack adequate knowledge about HIV/ AIDS and consider themselves to be at great risk of contracting the infection. No special training programmes have ever been arranged for support staff in the hospital. These feelings of anxiety and fear result in their meting out derogatory behaviour to the patients. There is a sense of insecurity due to inadequate protection by the society, which generates apathy and insensitivity to the cause. Knowledge of the disease is the key to prevention of discrimination. Legislative and statutory provisions certainly are in place but cannot work effectively without political and public adherence in full force.

Impact of Discrimination

“Discrimination experienced within the health sector can prevent people with HIV/ AIDS from seeking care if they feel they will receive unwelcome reception or their confidentiality will not be respected (Malcolm et al, 1998). Furthermore, the expectation of such treatment may reduce the number of people choosing to be tested. It causes psychological distress (Hisung, 2001).”[5] “Healthcare Industries”.   Effective responses to HIV/AIDS are increasingly considered in terms of prevention -to – care continuum (Mac Neil & Anderson, 1998). Prevention reduces the need for future care, and care and support activities also encourage prevention by raising awareness of the disease. (Anderson, 1998). This cycle, however, relies on a supportive environment in which people living with HIV/AIDS feel comfortable disclosing their status and Stigma and discrimination hinder the creation of such a supportive environment at all stages of the cycle.

More on Workplace Discrimination

“Most U.S. states do not have laws protecting gay workers from being fired–or not hired–because of sexual orientation. Several federal and state laws, however, do forbid discrimination in hiring or termination of the HIV positive. Despite such protections, people continue to experience workplace discrimination based on their HIV status – sexual orientation notwithstanding. There are numerous cases that indicate a widespread disregard for laws already in place.[6]”Despite Laws HIV Discrimination Continues in Workplace”.

Conclusion

Primarily through way of the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the US Constitution a citizen of the United States is guaranteed equal access to medical treatment regardless of race, sex, religion or any other status.  With respect to illness an employer cannot discriminate against an individual with a handicap or disability when hiring, promoting, evaluating or terminating an employee as per Civil Rights Act. The Human Rights Act 1988 covers infringements of such in our neighbouring country Great Britain.  It is very easy to defend most human rights violations because they are straightforward and clearly states. What happens when there is a stigma attached to a potential violation such as that attached to the medical condition of HIV/AIDS?  The political sense of the public gets involved and the rights become violated in the sense that people either simply do not want to get involved or do not know the legalities involve for fear of them.  This is not acceptable in today’s society.  People who contract this fatal disease should be afforded the same humanitarian rights as one who is denied rights because he has perhaps lost a limb in the war or has cancer.  It is the peoples need to be educated that is hindering a progressive human rights stance on the issue and legislation needs to pass statute of required education on the matter.

Reference and Annotated Bibliography

[1] Backman, G., Hunt, P., Khosla, R., Jaramillo –  Strouss, C., Fikre, B., Rumble, C., Pevalin, D., Páez, D., Pineda, M., Frisancho, A., Tarco, D., Motlagh, M., Farcasanu, D., & Vladescu, C. (2008). Health systems and the right to health: an assessment of 194 countries. The Lancet, 372(9655), 2047-85. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 1622556461).

This reference digs deep into the marvels of HIV/AIDS of the 20^th century and the stigma attached to the disease.  Retrospect is given to the discrimination that patients face at hospitals and in the community.

Mann, J. M. (1998). HIV/AIDS, micro-ethics and macro-ethics. AIDS Care, 10 (1), 5-6. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 26587357).

This reference speaks about the infringement of a patients right to privacy although it is a Constitutional right to every citizen of the United States.

UNDP Iran (2008) ‘The Stigma Factor by Ban Ki

This particular reference evaluates the stigma that is still attached to the disease because of non education of the community and some of the medical personnel in undeveloped countries such as India.

D. Khakha (2003)Healthcare Industry. Discrimination in Healthcare to Patients Living with HIV/AIDS. Nursing Journal of India. December 2003.<http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200312/ai_n9321219/>accessed 16 August 2009.

More focus is on why the discrimination takes place in countries such as India and patterns of long discrimination continue to happen because of lack of education.

D. Khakha (2003)Healthcare Industry. Discrimination in Healthcare to Patients Living with HIV/AIDS. Nursing Journal of India. December 2003<http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200312/ai_n9321219/>accessed 16 August 2009

D. Khakha (2003)Healthcare Industry. Discrimination in Healthcare to Patients Living with HIV/AIDS. Nursing Journal of India. December 2003. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200312/ai_n9321219/>accessed 16 August 2009

D. Khakha (2003) Healthcare Industry. Discrimination in Healthcare to Patients Living with HIV/AIDS. Nursing Journal of India. December 2003.<http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200312/ai_n9321219>/accessed 16 August 2009

Stiffler, S. (2009)Despite Laws, HIV Discrimination Continues in Workplace< http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=86644>accessed 16 August 2009.

Despite legislation and statutes passed to protect against discrimination it is still ramped in many states and countries.

[1] Backman, G., Hunt, P., Khosla, R., Jaramillo –  Strouss, C., Fikre, B., Rumble, C., Pevalin, D., Páez, D., Pineda, M., Frisancho, A., Tarco, D., Motlagh, M., Farcasanu, D., & Vladescu, C. (2008). Health systems and the right to health: an assessment of 194 countries. The Lancet, 372(9655), 2047-85.  Retrieved July 26, 2009, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 1622556461).

[2] Mann, J. M. (1998). HIV/AIDS, micro-ethics and macro-ethics. AIDS Care, 10 (1), 5-6. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 26587357).

[3] UNDP Iran (2008) ‘The Stigma Factor by Ban Ki

[4] D. Khakha (2003)Healthcare Industry. Discrimination in Healthcare to Patients Living with HIV/AIDS. Nursing Journal of India. December 2003. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200312/ai_n9321219/accessed 16 August 2009

[5] D. Khakha (2003) Healthcare Industry. Discrimination in Healthcare to Patients Living with HIV/AIDS. Nursing Journal of India. December 2003. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200312/ai_n9321219/accessed 16 August 2009

[6] Stiffler, S. (2009)Despite Laws, HIV Discrimination Continues in Workplace< http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=86644>accessed 16 August 2009.