Living positively with HIV – thanks to steady flow of ARVs

Freetown - In 2008, *Edith’s life took a dramatic turn when she lost her husband and father to her two children.  Apart from living with the pain of losing a loved one, Edith also found out she was HIV positive.

“When I was diagnosed as HIV positive, I was sad, angry, confused and unsure about what to do next. I did not have a lot of information about this condition and was afraid that being a widow with little resources, taking a lifelong medication would be too expensive,” says Edith, as she talks about moving from being depressed and ill-informed, to now being referred to as an “Expert Client” at George Brook Community Health Centre in Dwazark Community in Freetown, where she regularly receives her ARVs.

“I receive my ARVs free of charge and this has helped me with treatment adherence and helping me to remain healthy and strong.  Today I use the lessons and experiences I have had from taking ARVs to advise other people living with HIV on the importance of taking ARVs every day at the same time, even when the CD4 count gets high,” explains Edith.

According the Demographic Health Survey (2019), 1.7 percent of people age 15-49 in Sierra Leone are living with HIV and have to take daily doses of Antiretroviral Treatment to help in slowing the progression of the virus in their bodies, therefore reducing morbidity and mortality due to HIV related infections.

Antiretroviral Treatment has not only immensely contributed to reducing HIV related morbidities and mortalities across Sierra Leone, but for Edith, getting a ready supply of ARVs and adhering well to the treatment regiment, has helped to prevent transmission to her new husband and the baby born in this new union.

“I have disclosed my status to my husband and my two older children and they are the people who support me and remind me regularly when it is time to take my ARVs,” says Edith as she talks about managing her condition as well as embracing the transition in her social life.

Since 2018, the Global Fund for TB, AIDS and Malaria, has been a key partner in Sierra Leone’s AIDS Control Programme by supporting free availability of ARVs to people living with HIV. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has led the distribution of AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria commodities – ensuring that there are no stock outs at health facilities.

Every three months, ARVs reach Community Health Centres across the country, while capacity building support has been given to facility personnel who administer the ARVs.

Alusine Aaron Jibao is an HIV Counsellor also at George Brook CHC in Dwazark. He is responsible for dispensing of ARVs to more than 364 clients who are within his database. He is happy that the consistent and timely supplies of ARVs from the District Health Management Team has helped boost compliance of patients who visit George Brook CHC to receive their monthly supply of either adult ARVs, pediatrics ARVs or for prophylaxis medications such as Cotrimoxazole.

Alusine is also ecstatic about the skills and knowledge he has been provided to ensure that he professionally handles post-test counseling and also provide accurate information during the dispensing of the ARVS.

“Most of the people who started on the AIDS Control Programme here at George Brook Community Health Centre, continue to receive their ARVs here and they have gained confidence to even refer their partners  and their friends to also get tested and be supported to remain healthy and alive if you test positive,” explains Alusine, as he warmly welcomes another client who has come to receive her ARVs.

“Apart from just giving out the ARVs, I always make sure that the clients get information on the possible side effects and how to manage them.  I also encourage people who are on the AIDS Control Programme to understand the importance of taking their medicines everyday at the same time.”

Alusine explains how prior to the knowledge he has above ARVs, he watched and mourned as friends and family members succumbed to HIV related infections.  He is therefore grateful that he can now save those dear to him by encouraging them to be tested and supporting them to take their ARVs if they test positive.

*Names of HIV positive persons have been changed to protect their identities