HIV is no Barrier to Live Life in All its Fullness
“I cried when I discovered I had tested positive for HIV. The only thought in my head at that time was to commit suicide and end it all”, says Lina, (not her real name), her voice shaking as she looked away to hide her tears.
This wasn’t always the case, Lina was once a vibrant young woman so full of life, and like many females in her age group, she only wanted to experiment and live life to the fullest, as all young people do.
“I used to go around with females in my community, we would drink alcohol and enjoy ourselves until I met a man I was interested in and we married”, she adds.
Lina was happily married and lived with her husband, a year passed and as they were entering their second year of marriage she fell sick.
She says, “I was afraid that I would die so I left my husband and moved back to my family home. I didn’t know that I had HIV.”
Her parents and relatives were worried about Lina and would often ask her how she got sick but she would never give them a straight answer as she too did not know what was happening to her.
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“My family suspected that someone had cast a spell on me (Black Magic) and I believed them for a period of time until my aunt who worked for an NGO came to visit and brought me to the clinic for a blood test”, adds Lina.
After finding out that she had tested positive for HIV, the clinician present on the day provided counseling and encouraged Lina that there is medication to help her improve her health so she would still be able to live life like a normal person again.
“I was placed on treatment (ART – antiretroviral therapy) and I thought the medication would be once but the clinician told me that I will have to come back after my supply runs out and this will be ongoing for as long as I live”, adds Lina.
A few days after finding out about her HIV status and as she began regaining her health, Lina had another mammoth task and that was to inform her husband of the news. Her husband was calm after learning about her status and she requested that they both visit the clinic.
“My husband also did a blood test and found out that he was also HIV positive. He was counseled and placed on treatment, now we’re both on treatment”, she adds.
It has now been 4 years of being on ART and Lina and her husband live a happy and healthy life where they visit the clinic every 3 months to receive new supplies.
“Both our families know about our HIV status and they have come to accept it, this is how we will be living for the rest of our lives”, says Lina.
Lina’s advice is for married people to be faithful to their partners or use protection if they decide to step out of their relationships.
She was recruited by ADRA PNG in Lae as a Peer Worker to seek out others like her and help direct them to clinics for testing, counseling and to be placed on ART if they test positive for HIV.
“I enjoy my work and I'm very thankful for the opportunity given by ADRA to work as a Peer Worker. I also want to thank World Vision for supporting us in our work,” she adds.
It is estimated that almost 60, 000 people are living with HIV in Papua New Guinea and the number is increasing. More awareness is needed for people to visit clinics for testing, and counseling and to be placed on ART if they test HIV positive.
ADRA PNG in Lae is a sub-recipient of the Global Fund TBHIV program implemented by World Vision and is a valued partner in reaching people living with HIV and creating awareness on how people can protect themselves.
Peer workers like Lina based in Lae City, Markham, and Bulolo are working tirelessly to support Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals and that is Goal 3: Ensure Healthy Lives.