Jean-Daniel Ndikumana
Project facilitator refuge in the Arc en Ciel House - Luxembourg, Belgium
Title: Immigrants and LGBTI refugees account for a growing proportion of people living with HIV worldwide
Biography
Biography: Jean-Daniel Ndikumana
Abstract
Immigrants and LGBTI refugees account for a growing proportion of people living with HIV worldwide. This highlights the need to establish equitable services in prevention awareness, treatment and support to immigrants and refugees infected and affected by HIV. Immigrants and LGBTI refugees living with HIV face complex barriers that have a significant impact on their health and well-being as well as their ability to become full citizens. Immigrants and LGBTI refugees living with HIV face complex challenges like trauma inherent in the course of any immigrant; the complexity of the immigration system in the host country; the difficulties of adapting to a new culture; accessibility problems in housing and employment and prejudice and discrimination both within their own cultural community and in society in general. These people also face barriers in terms of access to HIV information, treatment and support; these obstacles are caused by language barriers and other cultural divisions and the lack of medical knowledge and systemic discrimination. All these constraints and obstacles have considerable impact on the health and welfare of these people, as well as their ability to become full citizens. People living with HIV are very afraid that their application be rejected, especially since the HIV test is mandatory for all new entrants who apply for immigration.