Stigmatized Diseases and Stereotypes

Location

Harkins 301, Providence College

Event Website

http://www.providence.edu/hpm/Pages/Conference.aspx

Start Date

31-3-2012 10:00 AM

End Date

31-3-2012 11:15 AM

Description

Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient form of treatment that has existed in India through scriptures and generations for thousands of years. It is practiced by “indigenous medical practitioners” or natural medical practitioners that assume the role of healers and use various forms of herbal remedies to treat individuals that have a form of illness. (Kakar DN. 1983) According to the C.D.L. College of Ayurveda, Ayurvedic medicine focuses on viewing the individual holistically through the body, mind, food, and environment to produce a medicinal recipe to meet the needs of the individual. In addition, the college has also mentioned that they have provided effective remedies for a multitude of chronic diseases including HIV/AIDS. With 2.4 million people HIV positive in India’s expanding population; this virus has become a social stigma. (UNAIDS 2010) In this regard, HIV/AIDS is perceived merely as, “someone else’s problem”. (UNDP 2006) Those that are HIV positive are treated by strong discrimination that includes: rejection from relatives, denied medical treatment, and sometimes violent forms of harassment. (UNDP 2006) Ayurvedic medicine can also be seen as a more humanistic and traditional approach that can potentially ameliorate this stigma and ultimately affect the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in India’s society. The purpose of this paper is to provide a level of comprehensive coverage that focuses on the underlying factor of Ayurvedic medicine and its probable impact on the social construct of HIV/AIDS.

Share

COinS
 
Mar 31st, 10:00 AM Mar 31st, 11:15 AM

HIV/AIDS: Ayurvedic Medicine's Impact on India's Social Stigma

Harkins 301, Providence College

Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient form of treatment that has existed in India through scriptures and generations for thousands of years. It is practiced by “indigenous medical practitioners” or natural medical practitioners that assume the role of healers and use various forms of herbal remedies to treat individuals that have a form of illness. (Kakar DN. 1983) According to the C.D.L. College of Ayurveda, Ayurvedic medicine focuses on viewing the individual holistically through the body, mind, food, and environment to produce a medicinal recipe to meet the needs of the individual. In addition, the college has also mentioned that they have provided effective remedies for a multitude of chronic diseases including HIV/AIDS. With 2.4 million people HIV positive in India’s expanding population; this virus has become a social stigma. (UNAIDS 2010) In this regard, HIV/AIDS is perceived merely as, “someone else’s problem”. (UNDP 2006) Those that are HIV positive are treated by strong discrimination that includes: rejection from relatives, denied medical treatment, and sometimes violent forms of harassment. (UNDP 2006) Ayurvedic medicine can also be seen as a more humanistic and traditional approach that can potentially ameliorate this stigma and ultimately affect the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in India’s society. The purpose of this paper is to provide a level of comprehensive coverage that focuses on the underlying factor of Ayurvedic medicine and its probable impact on the social construct of HIV/AIDS.

https://digitalcommons.providence.edu/auchs/2012/panela2/1