The Dutch AIDS pioneers: "We only saw infected people, who died"

Roel Coutinho began a long-term health research. "Before I knew what the cause of HIV / AIDS was, I thought, let's follow people and see what happens." The participants were very loyal. "Maybe they thought" when something happens, I'll be treated first, "but they also wanted to contribute, which was special."

Coutinho's role was complicated. He had to safeguard the interests of public health. This has sometimes conflicted with gay organizations who wanted to avoid stigma. "They have set up comprehensive information campaigns, but always with the idea: we do not want to be pushed into a booth."

One of these conflicts concerned the sex saunas of Amsterdam that Coutinho wanted to close. "To show that the problem was very serious." The gay organizations were completely against it. "They said that by closing we would lose control, eventually I was convinced."

Gays as blood donors

Coutinho also wanted to exclude homosexuals as blood donors. "Hemophiliac patients infected with tainted blood were, of course, victims, but I understood that gay organizations had problems with this discussion, but you could not ignore it, it had to happen, and a few months later later. Homosexuals were then asked to give up the blood donation. Or they were tested by the HIV Blood Transfusion Service

Initially, HIV / AIDS appeared to only occur in homosexual men, drug sprays and hemophiliacs. Until it turns out that heterosexuals can also transmit HIV. "Then you had the bee campaign, which highlighted the whole population at the risk of HIV / AIDS."

Later, the chance of transfer among heterosexuals was much smaller. "But gay organizations were pushing the entire population to take the risk, again because of this stigma, I understood, but it was not true."

The most surprised is Coutinho still about the complete lack of organization to fight the HIV / AIDS epidemic. "We did it as well as possible, but there was no structure, irresponsible, even though we certainly did not hurt." In addition to being a pioneer, he was also very heavy, says Coutinho. "Sometimes I did not know how to do it." Where does it end? What kind of responsibility do I have on my shoulders? "