HIV Narratives: Beyond numbers

[Dr Sima Barmania BMdsci MBBS MPH]

In medicine, we can spend such a vast proportion of time perceiving those with illnesses as patients, or as statistical numbers that we fail to regard them as individuals. This is particular pertinent to people living with HIV, which are in excess of 30 million; It is such a colossal number it can be hard to comprehend. Despite the wealth of research into prevention and treatment of HIV which has made an undeniable impact on survival of populations, the experience of the individual unwittingly can be overlooked.

Nevertheless, beyond the purview of quantitative and qualitative research lies that anachronistic yet simple instrument, called conversation.

However, as lives get more hectic and as a corollary to this, more time restrained, having a conversation with someone over a cup of tea, no matter however much wanted, can simply be unfeasible.

Perhaps, it is for this very reason that sometimes the most  touching conversations can happen in the most unexpected of surroundings, in those places in between; whilst travelling from one place to another.

Continued in the Independent

http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/12/02/hiv-narratives-beyond-num...

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