Joti, a 16-year-old freshman, feels the discrimination of living with HIV acutely. His family refuses to share utensils, fearing the virus he carries. 'They won't hug me or shake my hand,' he says, emphasizing the isolation and stigma faced by those living with this condition in his community.
The health crisis in Panama's Ngabe-Bugle territory is severe. Dr. Orlando Quintero describes it as 'a bomb that's already exploded.' The epidemic places a devastating toll on young individuals, with HIV emerging as the leading cause of death in their population.
In 2023, the Ngabe-Bugle territory had an alarming incidence of AIDS-related deaths, accounting for 30% of the total among people under 30. With rising new cases, the indigenous population faces an unprecedented health emergency.
Despite advances in HIV treatment, the stigma surrounding the virus remains potent in the Ngabe-Bugle community. This fear compounds the crisis, as families like Joti's isolate him, afraid of contagion, which hinders community support and awareness.
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