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OPINION

By Dr Nelson Musoba

It is not true that a person on long term anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for the HIV infection does remain the same as someone who is HIV-negative.

Indeed, ARVs have significantly improved the lives of people living with HIV and have enabled them to achieve the same quality of life. First and foremost, ARVS do not cure HIV and once someone has been started on treatment they remain on it for life. The psychological impact on the person living with HIV and those closely associated requires support over their lifetime.

For one to meaningfully live with HIV they require a certain level of discipline and consistency, which if not observed pose more risks to them and their loved ones.

Examples of such behaviours include tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, unregulated use of alcohol, among others which may contribute to the development of non-communicable diseases.

The guidance from Uganda AIDS Commission, therefore, is that with new scientific breakthroughs in HIV prevention, care and treatment, individuals living with HIV have an opportunity to lead fulfilling lives. Focusing on the positive aspects and achievements of people Living with HIV is also a strategy to fight stigma which is part of the goal for ending AIDS as a Public Health Threat by 2030 (End AIDS-related Deaths, Stop new Infections and End Stigma).

This approach of fighting stigma should be used carefully lest we promote complacency especially in a setting where the individual may not have complete information.

Focusing on persons living with HIV and taking leadership regarding the epidemic is part of this strategic approach of anti-stigma and discrimination, and is key in ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

This is the reason Uganda AIDS Commission in implementing the directives of the President about misleading HIV messaging and following guidance by the Minister for Presidency is working with partners to simplify and disseminate HIV related information on prevention, treatment, care and psychosocial support. Uganda AIDS Commission has prepared a guide for leaders to communicate to communities about HIV and AIDS.

In this guide we call on all stakeholders (leaders, activists, policy makers and stakeholders in the HIV response) to make it their core business to be informed about risks of HIV and share this information with all those they interact with. We should always qualify our messages otherwise people pick the wrong parts of the message. The message should be that HIV should be avoided at all times but if you have been unfortunate to get it, it is not a death sentence and you can still get treatment that will enable you fulfill your life goals.

When on treatment, it is important to follow the guidance given to you by the health practitioner. Any slight deviation from this guidance will put your life in trouble and those you love as well. It is good to normalise living with HIV as long it does not cause any more problems.

The challenge we usually observe is that when some people get on treatment, they quickly forget the routine and guidance of the health workers. They do not want to listen to guidance regarding treatment. We have also observed that the majority of these individuals tend to quickly resort to their risky lifestyles and in the process continue to be a danger to themselves and their loved ones.

This is one of the reasons that our data shows that more men are dying of AIDS-related illnesses compared to the women even when HIV prevalence is higher in women compared to men.

The writer is the director general, Uganda AIDS Commission