It was refreshing to read your editorial of October 5, which gave a new perspective to AIDS services. Rather than concentrating on how insufficient AIDS education has been, it called for a focus on the deeper meaning of education, the quality of service, and perhaps, a revision of the appropriate strategy for Hong Kong.
The AIDS Services Development Committee, formed four years ago, has examined services for people with AIDS provided by the local government and non-governmental organisations. There are two broad categories of AIDS services - designated and integrated. Designated services are self-explanatory, whereas integrated services are often existing facilities that serve, among other people, those living with HIV/AIDS.
For a complex disease like AIDS, designated services are not enough to meet clients' needs. Moreover, there is the potential setback of further alienating the HIV/AIDS patients. Incorporation of AIDS services in existing health care, education and social welfare facilities is logical and natural. Your editorial has rightly brought our attention to the standard of integrated services in our society. Clearly, training is a key element in any service provision. It must, however, not be taken to simply imply lecturing to staff.
More innovative means are needed to bring about attitude changes. Training may not be a major problem for staff in designated AIDS services, as they are familiar with the subject through working with HIV/AIDS patients. Against the background of a relatively low HIV prevalence, the opportunities of learning through experiences may be extremely limited in other settings.
Finally, I salute many of the home-helpers who have taken up the challenge to serve people living with HIV/AIDS. It is through their efforts that Hong Kong is becoming a truly caring society.
Dr HOMER TSO Chairman AIDS Services Development Committee of Advisory Council on AIDS