Stigmatization and Resources Allocation-Ethical Dilemmas for HIV Positive Intravenous Drug Users

The burden of disease due to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Pakistan is on the rise. According to an estimate approximately 0.165 million people in Pakistan are infected with HIV and 17,149 person are currently receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of HIV is 20% for intravenous Drug Users (IVDUs) while national surveillance data shows rate of infection in most major cities in range of 15-50%. In light of such alarming figures, distribution of resources and stigmatization are two ethical issues that gain attention of not only healthcare providers but also patients. Following is a case with discussion on these ethical issues.