HIV & AIDS, STIGMA -THE GREATEST HEALTH CHALLENGE IN MY COMMUNITY

I remember in 1984 one of my workmates was the first lot to be infected HIV & Aids infected person. It was so scaring, other colleagues used to avoid shaking her hand, sharing utencils with her even at her home. She was so miserable. As days passed by she was unable to continue working. When she died the body was wrapped with a polythene bag, before being put in a coffin.

At home she was isolated with the rest of the family members, food was served and her plate, spoon and cup were marked. The medication was too expensive. In our country Kenya of late they get free medication.

Another friend of mine when she gave birth in 1989. The Doctor advised her not to suckle her baby boy, but these days the newly baby born do suck. The husband died in 1993, she later died iafter four years.

When I started Volunteering Social Work in my Community. visiting their homes, I found they were so may and due to stigma they were locked in rooms all alone. The families could not disclose they had such a case in their family.

When the Government realized there was that challenge they decided to train the volunteers in all Communities as Home Based Care. The Home Based Cares then trained the PLWHAS (people living with HIV&Aids Care i-e home visits Hygiene, referrals to Facility to get medication, ensure flesh air in the room, counsellling. In doing so the families were able to be able to plan for day to day activities, self reliance, join support groups accept themselves as they are, stop denial etc.

When one is kind and loving, they disclose their status to you and you are able to refer them to the facilities that give free medication to the HIV & Aids patients . This is done in great confidentiality, So life becomes bearable to them and their faimilies

A mother whose eight children died of HIV & AIDS, they left 9 nine grandchildren two of them were born HIV positive. It is a big challenge, food, school fees, rent etc. the grandmother is old jobless the husband had an accident and since then he is epileptic. So they suffer a lot.

I would suggest that all HIV & Aids patients to get free education, free food, note when they take the anti virals iwithout food they become dizzy. Most of them eat first before they take drugs, while majority of them are poor they get one meal per day.