AS Uganda marked World AIDS Day on December 1, we recognised that an increased number of children are living with HIV/AIDS. Some of these children have had access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs since 2004, while others do not.
The access is still limited since the estimated number of children with HIV is 150,000, but only 10,000 are on ARVs. These figures indicate that Uganda has to work harder before realising the “ARVs for all children” living with HIV. Most of these children have grown and are in their adolescence; others are beyond this stage. While this is wonderful news for the children, caretakers and their families, it presents many challenges associated with living with HIV/AIDS.
Adolescence is both an exciting and challenging period. It is, however, more complicated for a young person that is dealing with HIV/AIDS and at the same time undergoing the changes that involve self-discovery, shifting identities, exploring one’s sexuality and coping with peer pressure.
For most adolescents living with HIV/AIDS, feeling normal in their surroundings is important. Disclosing their HIV status to their peers and potential partners is worrisome for fear of rejection.
A good number of these children have not been prepared to become adolescents and young adults let alone know how to deal with this transitional stage. For most of these adolescents, living positively and taking medication on a strict schedule, is a disruption in their lifestyles.
Adolescents need to be presented with opportunities to relate with their peers, share successes, challenges as well as receive encouragement from other adolescents living positively.
The capacity of the family and community should be strengthened to provide a supportive environment for these boys and girls, including providing appropriate counselling and psychosocial support, which will enable them embrace the future to which they are entitled.
Living with HIV/AIDS is a journey with many bottlenecks, but with community and the Government support to these adolescents and their caregivers, there is hope on the horizon that one day all infected people will get free HIV treatment.
The writer is a communications and advocacy officer with special interest in vulnerable children
