South Asians With HIV Get New Peer Support Group

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VANCOUVER – A new peer support group is being created to help members of Metro Vancouver’s South Asian community living with HIV.

Dr. Farah Shroff is working with the Positive Living Association of BC to launch the group, reported CKNW news.

She says there is still a lot of stigma surrounding HIV in the South Asian community.

“A lot of people who are going to the clinics and their physicians, haven’t even told their family members yet.”

Shroff says its proven those who are able to be open with their diagnoses do get more help and have better outcomes.

“There’s still such an idea that a diagnoses of HIV is a punishment, because they’ve done something really, really wrong.”

The first meeting is set for Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Positive Living Association of BC’s office in downtown Vancouver.

The plan is to meet monthly, or bi-weekly. While the first meeting is downtown, it could move to South Vancouver or Surrey as needed.