In Nicaragua, and in other parts of the world, personal and medical information related to people with HIV-AIDS is extremely and strictly confidential, with the aim of providing a “shield” against discrimination and superstitions caused by misinformation.
Article 3 of Law No. 820, Law for the Promotion, Protection and Defense of Human Rights against HIV and AIDS for its Prevention and Care, establishes that “for no reason, public institutions and private organizations may disclose information that identifies people with HIV in Nicaragua.
“The name, address, clinical-epidemiological data and any other data that identifies people with HIV, or that may affect their private, economic, social, political and cultural life will not be disclosed in public or private spaces,” the regulations detail. .
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Regime disrespected this Law
However, there was a case of a Nicaraguan whose private information as an HIV-positive patient was illegally disseminated. The victim died at the end of March 2020 and was identified as the first person to die from Covid-19 in the country.
However, its confidentiality was exposed by health authorities. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health (MINSA), “the number two patient reported in Nicaragua with Covid-19 died due to multiple health fragilities, including diabetes and hypertension.”
The report highlights that the deceased was a patient carrying the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a revelation that caused a stir among the population and was considered “a violation of the patient’s privacy,” according to human rights organizations.
It is everyone’s responsibility
For a human rights defender, who provided statements on condition of anonymity, it is necessary to “omit the private information of HIV patients, especially so as not to stigmatize social groups such as the LGBTQI+ community.”
The expert pointed out the importance of “not keeping an eye on any sector because the responsibility belongs to everyone.” She assured that “both men and women are exposed to HIV.”
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For this reason, he claimed that there are still “many prejudices and stigmas that homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people are the ones who have or are more likely to acquire HIV, when the reality is not like that.”
«The LGBTQI+ population should not continue to be identified as the main victims of the virus. They have increased sexual relations at an early age and young people can now contract an infection. “They have sex secretly, without any advice that can help them avoid some type of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD),” she said.
