Clinic serves to normalize HIV care
A new clinic allows doctors to become more involved in the community management of HIV.
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| Dr. MarkAlain Déry says placing HIV care within an "ordinary health clinic" is part of an overall trend to destigmatize HIV. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano) |
In April 2011, Dr. MarkAlain Déry, an instructor of clinical medicine, opened a clinic to provide ongoing HIV/AIDS care to patients regardless of their insurance status.
Because of the tremendous advances in HIV treatment, Déry says that the disease has become a manageable condition for many. But unlike other chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, HIV still carries a social stigma that makes it harder for some to seek care. One of his goals is to normalize HIV care.
"This is part of an overall trend to de-stigmatize HIV by placing it in an ordinary health clinic," says Déry, who staffs the clinic along with several medical students. |
