Statement at the Technical/Ministerial Meeting on HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases

"An important aspect of dealing with this disease is to de-stigmatize it. HIV/AIDS knows no ethnicity, colour, race, or social status. Anybody who is not protected can be infected. We need to extend compassion, love and care to the victims. They should be neither discriminated nor looked down upon. Victims deserve dignity and respect which is accorded to every person. We need to be open about this disease. This is the only way we can deal with it." - Dr. Salim, April 24, 2001