1. "'HIV made me appreciate my life and family a lot more', says gay Singaporean - The Sunday Times 03 Jul 2016
Mr Ajmal Khan is 26. Known as AJ to friends, he is lanky, has an easy laugh, enjoys computer games and Chinese food, and works in e-commerce. He has also been living with HIV for the last six years.
He is one of the increasing number of gay Singaporeans afflicted with the infection. Last year, 232 homosexuals were diagnosed with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). That is a 27.5 per cent jump from 2014 and the highest since 2009, when there were 139 new cases among gay men. There are around 7,140 residents in Singapore with HIV.
AJ is now among the few Singaporeans to go public with his HIV status, alongside the likes of Mr Paddy Chew, who died in 1999 at the age of 39, and Mr Avin Tan, 30."
Great to see AJ coming out and putting a human face to HIV. Not easy as I personally feel strongly that those who contracted HIV through unfortunate blood transfusion and other medical treatment gone awry deserve more compassion than those who knowing engaging in dangerous potentially self-harming behaviours like sharing drug needles, unprotected sex, especially with the same gender.
HIV no longer has the sense of a death sentence these days with the advent of medical science. Hopefully that does not mean people can be careless about engaging in potentially self-harming behaviours.
I hope the MedishieldLife covers HIV so that the costs of a lifelong treatment is bearable for the afflicted patients/persons while not overly burdening the society at large. I guess 7,140 HIV residents in Singapore is affordable by the 5.5m residents/citizens now. When we grow to 6.9m, even more affordable is the number is kept constant or lower.
I will not want to be drawn into the LGBT debate though I want to maintain my position that: LGBT is unnatural from the procreation process. Is it genetic or a lifestyle choice, I will leave it to the wiser folks to decide.
All said, HIV patients who are aware of their conditions and responsibilities to protect themselves and those who interact with them should be given the support to live a normal life as one without HIV.
2. "Bringing back the kampung spirit for Hari Raya, new initiative aims to open homes - The Sunday Times 03 Jul 2016
When he was growing up, hairstylist Mohamad Noor Hasan Basri enjoyed going around his Jurong East estate during Hari Raya Aidilfitri to visit neighbours who kept their front doors open for anyone to join them in the festivities.
"There would be a lot of noise and children running around to collect as many green packets as they could," he recalled, adding that such "kampung spirit" is rarely seen today.
That is why Mr Noor, 33, and his wife Kamaliah Kamis, 36, have decided to open their Punggol home to children in their neighbourhood for one morning this year."
Yes. Hari Raya Puasa is just round the corner. It is very encouraging to read of the young couple's decision to take the initiative to open their home to children in their neighbourhood for one morning this year. Citizen initiative is always to be lauded. Hopefully, there will be follow up reporting of how the visiting go so that more can be encouraged to do the same.
Honestly living in HDB flats made most somewhat distant from their neighbours. I only learned about my neighbour's name after almost 5 years plus when I bumped into him on a plane! Then I learned about my other neighbour's name. Our floor has just the 3 families. Yet it took me that long to know their names! Shy!!
Just got back from UK and was in Brighton visiting an old friend's family. They related how they organized a neighbourhood function after they moved in and suddenly it sparked the other neighbours taking initiative to organize the gathering too! Indeed, a lighting rod is all it need and the one who takes the initiative to be that 1st lighting rod must be commended and recognized!
Happy Hari Raya Puasa in advance to all Muslims and non-Muslims who have Muslim friends, and those who will make Muslim friends in this coming visit!!
Mr Ajmal Khan is 26. Known as AJ to friends, he is lanky, has an easy laugh, enjoys computer games and Chinese food, and works in e-commerce. He has also been living with HIV for the last six years.
He is one of the increasing number of gay Singaporeans afflicted with the infection. Last year, 232 homosexuals were diagnosed with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). That is a 27.5 per cent jump from 2014 and the highest since 2009, when there were 139 new cases among gay men. There are around 7,140 residents in Singapore with HIV.
AJ is now among the few Singaporeans to go public with his HIV status, alongside the likes of Mr Paddy Chew, who died in 1999 at the age of 39, and Mr Avin Tan, 30."
Great to see AJ coming out and putting a human face to HIV. Not easy as I personally feel strongly that those who contracted HIV through unfortunate blood transfusion and other medical treatment gone awry deserve more compassion than those who knowing engaging in dangerous potentially self-harming behaviours like sharing drug needles, unprotected sex, especially with the same gender.
HIV no longer has the sense of a death sentence these days with the advent of medical science. Hopefully that does not mean people can be careless about engaging in potentially self-harming behaviours.
I hope the MedishieldLife covers HIV so that the costs of a lifelong treatment is bearable for the afflicted patients/persons while not overly burdening the society at large. I guess 7,140 HIV residents in Singapore is affordable by the 5.5m residents/citizens now. When we grow to 6.9m, even more affordable is the number is kept constant or lower.
I will not want to be drawn into the LGBT debate though I want to maintain my position that: LGBT is unnatural from the procreation process. Is it genetic or a lifestyle choice, I will leave it to the wiser folks to decide.
All said, HIV patients who are aware of their conditions and responsibilities to protect themselves and those who interact with them should be given the support to live a normal life as one without HIV.
2. "Bringing back the kampung spirit for Hari Raya, new initiative aims to open homes - The Sunday Times 03 Jul 2016
When he was growing up, hairstylist Mohamad Noor Hasan Basri enjoyed going around his Jurong East estate during Hari Raya Aidilfitri to visit neighbours who kept their front doors open for anyone to join them in the festivities.
"There would be a lot of noise and children running around to collect as many green packets as they could," he recalled, adding that such "kampung spirit" is rarely seen today.
That is why Mr Noor, 33, and his wife Kamaliah Kamis, 36, have decided to open their Punggol home to children in their neighbourhood for one morning this year."
Yes. Hari Raya Puasa is just round the corner. It is very encouraging to read of the young couple's decision to take the initiative to open their home to children in their neighbourhood for one morning this year. Citizen initiative is always to be lauded. Hopefully, there will be follow up reporting of how the visiting go so that more can be encouraged to do the same.
Honestly living in HDB flats made most somewhat distant from their neighbours. I only learned about my neighbour's name after almost 5 years plus when I bumped into him on a plane! Then I learned about my other neighbour's name. Our floor has just the 3 families. Yet it took me that long to know their names! Shy!!
Just got back from UK and was in Brighton visiting an old friend's family. They related how they organized a neighbourhood function after they moved in and suddenly it sparked the other neighbours taking initiative to organize the gathering too! Indeed, a lighting rod is all it need and the one who takes the initiative to be that 1st lighting rod must be commended and recognized!
Happy Hari Raya Puasa in advance to all Muslims and non-Muslims who have Muslim friends, and those who will make Muslim friends in this coming visit!!
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