I am MORE than Biomedical
Māori woman living with HIV addresses the 8th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment & Prevention 19-22 July 2015 in the closing plenary
The Executive Director of INA (Māori, Indigenous & South Pacific) HIV/AIDS Foundation Marama Pala attended the above conference in Vancouver, Canada last week and gave
the Community statement in the closing. This was the first time for Māori and for Indigenous women to be included in the
programme of such an auspicious event.
Her opening comments reflected an outcry of people living with HIV globally. “I am more than Biomedical!” poignant at a
scientific and predominantly clinical conference, attended by scientists, doctors and researchers. “To treat me with
medication, to keep me adherent, you must treat me as a whole person, my body, my mind, my spirit and my family”. This
was a cry that circled the social media of Twitter and Facebook. When the language of keeping people adherent, or people
becoming incompliant and defaulting was often spoken about. She spoke about considering her social health determinants
as part of her treatment regime. She also mentioned her experiences of stigma and discrimination before testing positive
for HIV.
Marama thanked the scientists in the room that have directly contributed to advancements in HIV treatment and care;
making it possible for her to live and have two healthy children.
“Despite all the advances in HIV, despite all the goals and strategies – despite all the good will, despite 90 90 90[1], despite No one left behind, I am here to tell you that Indigenous people, have been left behind and unless things change we will continue to be left behind. 10 10 10 is our reality.
Canadian Aboriginal people make up 12.2% or new HIV infections and 8.9% of the total number of people living with HIV in
Canada. They are only 3% of the total population. HIV Transmission from Injecting Drug Use Amongst is nearly five times
higher than for other Canadians.” Marama called out the people of Canada for accountability in her speech.
She pleaded with the scientists, health professionals and researchers, “how can the community help? Where can the
community work together to help with the implementation science? Let’s work together.”
“To End AIDS we need to stop working in Silos.”
ENDS