Stigma in People Living with HIV: a Matter of Ethics and Fairness

Abstract

Introduction. When patients are at their most vulnerable, in the face not only of illness but also of stigmatization and discrimination, healthcare professionals provide their services in an asymmetrical context which requires a strict adherence to the rules and principles of bioethics. This paper addresses those aspects of bioethics that come into play when caring forpeople suffering with HIV. Body. Because health is one of the values we hold most dear, healthcare professionals should consider their responsibilities toward their patients in each stage of life. This is why it is crucial to restrict their actionsaccording to the four principles of bioethics. This consideration might go unnoticed when the illness in question is the target of myths, stigmatization, and prejudice. This is especially true with infectious diseases such as HIV, which is connected to moral issues within a social and historical framework—thereby violating the principle of fairness. Conclusion.Incorporating the principles of bioethics into professional practice is one of the keys to eliminating verticality in healthcare. This requires that healthcare professionals reflect on how best to perform their jobs, keeping at heart respect for human dignity.