The Ministry of Health is reviewing its strategy for health awareness campaigns, especially regarding sensitive topics such as HIV. This was revealed by Acting Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Luisa Cikamatana, during a panel discussion at the Fiji Institute of Medical Laboratory Services Annual Convention, which took place over the weekend at the Shangri-La Hotel.
During the session, a participant expressed concerns about messages like “HIV is dangerous and can kill you,” which contribute to the stigma associated with the disease. In contrast, phrases such as “TB is manageable or preventable” aid in normalizing and reducing stigma for other health conditions.
Dr. Cikamatana emphasized the necessity of delivering clear and informative messages. “It has to be framed in a way that they understand, and it’s educating them,” she stated. She further explained the need for individuals to have the right information to make informed choices about their health.
Using a food choices analogy, Dr. Cikamatana noted, “You hear about being healthy, so do you want to be healthy or unhealthy? It circles back to that.” She highlighted the importance of positively framing health information to promote better decision-making.
When questioned about the ministry’s role in eliminating HIV stigma, Dr. Cikamatana acknowledged the need for improvements, saying, “Yes, I think we have to do that.” She pointed out the importance of assisting individuals in making informed choices rather than instilling fear related to HIV status. “It’s important to guide them on, ‘OK, if I have it, what can I do about it?’” she added, reiterating the goal of empowering individuals to take the right actions.