Introduction
Cases of alienation of people suffering from health impairments, diseases, or even unwanted pregnancies are common across the globe. The prejudice that most communities have against people suffering from chronic illnesses like HIV/AIDS and disabilities leads to such people being stigmatized (LaMont, 2014). One may cite lack of knowledge amid the community as one of the factors that contribute to stigma. Thus, there is the need for such people to have an advocate who can make sure that they have access to their rights. This paper will discuss some of the assistance that one can offer to victims of unwanted pregnancy, drug addiction, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis.
Serving as an Advocate
One can serve as an advocate for the vulnerable population in a number of ways. According to LaMont (2014), vulnerable individuals are at risk of being harmed by members of society due to bigotry. One way that a person can serve as an advocate for a population is by protecting them from individuals who are out to harm them. They can do this by providing shelter for the patients. LaMont (2014) argues that lack of public awareness contributes to stigma. As an advocate, one can make an effort to sensitize the public regarding its role in helping those that are vulnerable. It would lead to society accepting them and assuming the responsibility of taking care of their needs.
Forms of Assistance
A 24-year old pregnant woman who is homeless and unmarried may be in the need of immense help. For instance, such a lady is at risk of falling victim to rape due to lack of shelter. One way that such a woman can be helped is by providing shelter for her (Morgan, Everett, & Hing, 2015). It would protect her from the danger of falling victim to sexual harassment. Being unmarried and homeless implies that the lady does not have a source of income. Therefore, getting her a job or offering financial assistance would be of great help to the lady. Individuals who inject drugs understand the dangers that they subject themselves to but encounter challenges in abandoning the habit. One way of assisting a 16-year old girl who has an IV drug habit is putting her under a rehabilitation program (Morgan et al., 2015). It would allow the girl to acquire skills that can assist her to stop using drugs. Moreover, she would have a chance to undergo therapy, which would prevent the likelihood of the girl suffering from relapses in the future.
Most immigrants work in the informal sector where they are exposed to the danger of contracting communicable diseases like tuberculosis (TB). One way of assisting an immigrant worker whose TB skin test turned out to be positive is by putting them under observed therapy (Morgan et al., 2015). It would ensure that the patient complies with the treatment procedure as prescribed by a doctor. One should make sure that the health worker providing the therapy understands the culture of the patient to ease communication. Hepatitis B mutates rapidly if a patient fails to take medicine. Thus, one way of assisting a working, married man with the condition is by making sure that he takes his medicines at all times. Individuals with Hepatitis B face discrimination. Thus, one can help an individual with the condition by protecting him from bigotry.
Conclusion
Persons with a disability or chronic diseases suffer from prejudice. As an advocate for such people, it is imperative to enlighten them about their rights. Conducting public awareness campaign may help in minimizing stigma. Providing shelter for a homeless, pregnant woman may save her from sex predators. On the other hand, placing a girl who is addicted to IV drugs under a rehabilitation program may help her to acquire skills that can enable her to quit an addiction. Monitoring TB and Hepatitis B patients would ensure that they comply with the treatment procedures as prescribed by doctors.
Reference List
LaMont, E. D. (2014). Vulnerable children and families: Voices from the national landscape. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(3), 251-265.
Morgan, P., Everett, C., & Hing, E. (2015). Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians in community health centers, 2006 – 2010. Healthcare, 3(2), 102-107. Web.