Bioethics Day celebrated

Islamabad : The Unit of the Unesco Chair in Bioethics at the Department of Psychiatry, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, marked the World Bioethics Day during a special ceremony on Saturday, with the theme of “Non-Discrimination and Non-Stigmatisation” that aligns with Article 11 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights.

The event was attended by residents of the psychiatry department. Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, Head of the Bioethics Unit in Pakistan, Chairman of the Psychiatry Department, and Dean of PIMS, emphasised the crucial role of non-discrimination and non-stigmatisation in developing human connections and relationships.

He said stigma encompassed negative and stereotypical attitudes and feelings toward people based on characteristics such as gender, ethnicity, religion, and mental illness. “This can lead to labelling certain groups as less deserving of respect and rights. These attitudes in the community are supported by ignorance, prejudice and discrimination, and are perpetuated when mental illness is represented inaccuracy.”

Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj said discrimination might be obvious and direct, such as someone making a negative remark about the person’s mental illness and HIV or his treatment. He added that it might be unintentional or subtle, such as someone avoiding the individual living with mental illness because the person assumes the mentally ill person could be unstable, violent or dangerous due to their mental health condition.

“Discriminating against someone at work, denying access to education, accommodation, entry to premises, or the provision of services under the guise of the individual having HIV, mental illness is unlawful,” he said. Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj said many people held negative perceptions of individuals with mental health issues due to a lack of understanding and reliance on myths and misconceptions.

He said the health professionals’ commitment to ensuring that people with mental health challenges have equal rights and are treated without discrimination. “Discrimination can manifest in various forms—either overtly, such as negative remarks about an individual's mental health or HIV status, or subtly, such as avoiding someone with a mental illness due to unfounded fears of instability or danger. Discriminating against individuals by denying access to work, education, housing, or services based on their mental health or HIV status is illegal and goes against fundamental human rights,” he said.

Prof. Rizwan pointed out that a lack of knowledge and fear surrounding conditions like HIV/AIDS were significant contributors to stigma. He said gender-based stereotypes also played a role, as women with disabilities were often more stigmatised than men, facing challenges in literacy, employment, and stable relationships. He highlighted the detrimental effects of stigma and discrimination, which include rejection, loss of confidence, reluctance to seek medical care, low self-esteem, financial difficulties, and isolation.

“People with HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, or those who identify as transgender often experience feelings of shame, denial, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.” To combat stigma and discrimination, Prof. Dr. Rizwan emphasised the need to educate communities about the realities faced by individuals living with HIV/AIDS, mental health conditions, and other gender-related issues.