The founder of a support group for Māori living with HIV/AIDS says while the government needs to provide more help, patients often feel more victimized by their whānau.
Milly Stewart of Toitū Te Ao says about 3,600 Kiwis are living with HIV, with 15% being Māori and Pasifika.
A new Ageing with HIV report indicates that by 2030, 72% of sufferers will be aged 50 or older.
Stewart says at this stage, whānau should be the primary source of support, but for many, this is not the case.
“And the stigma that’s actually coming from their own families, is really quite hard to handle because it’s not just about looking after our bodies. It’s looking after our wairua, our hinengaro, our whatu manawa and all of that. And we know that we can’t operate at our full potential if any one of those facets are not operating at their full potential,” says Stewart.
Milly Stewart says a greater understanding of the virus by whānau could significantly improve the critical mental support sufferers need.
