HIV and AIDS Issues
 | Positive Living, a true life experience of Uncle David Luke May 26, 2011 |
Hi, I am David Luke:
The day I found out about my HIV+ status was the day before Princess Dianna died in an automobile crash in 1997. It was late on that Friday afternoon of Labor Day weekend. I had made plans to go to New Orleans, LA and party. I was stunned, but yet not surprised, to find out that I had the virus. I continued with my plans, thinking that it would be my last chance to “live it up.” Little did I know that almost 14 years later I would still be alive and doing GOD’s work in Uganda, Africa.
The following is my personal strategy for living positively with HIV. This formula works for me, however, there is no guarantee that it will work for all. I have lived by this
program since not long after finding out my HIV+ status in late 1997.
I believe that my survival thus far has been attributed to a combination of Mind, Body, and Spirit, yet they are the same, all rolled into one.
1. Mind
The human mind is a very strong force to be reckoned with. I have realized this more and more the longer I live with HIV. I am constantly trying to educate myself on new medical research and strategies. I strive to learn about new treatments and wellness programs that I can benefit from. I believe that being educated about my disease only makes me mentally stronger and “more fit” to fight it. I call it my disease because I have to claim it. It’s mine, although I share it with many world-wide. Denial does no good for anyone.
I also believe that in helping others who also share the same dilemma makes a big difference in coping with HIV. It helps me to realize that I am not the only one who is dealing with this life-changing event. Getting involved in “making a difference” in the world forces me to realize that I am helping not only others, but also myself in the process. It educates me in the many ways that others cope. I can learn from them.
2. Body
“Taking better care of my body” has also taken on a whole new meaning. For many years after finding out my positive status, I continued to abuse my body with alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco. I still wonder if it was a form of “self-denial”. . . . a way of refusing to accept the fact that I could not live as normally as everyone else.
I now strive to stick to a healthier diet. It is sometimes hard to avoid junk food in this fast paced world in which we live, but it can be accomplished with the right planning. I also try to get as much exercise as possible. “A body at rest tends to remain at rest, while a body in motion tends to stay in motion.”
Most importantly, I strictly adhere to my medicine regimen. After all, that’s why we have doctors. They spend many years being trained and educated to help keep us alive! My doctor is definitely pleased at my adherence level. I feel that we should be thankful that we have access to our medications when there are so many others less fortunate . . . those who can’t get their meds and are dying because of the lack thereof.
3. SPIRIT
Whether we like it or want to admit it, we are viewed as the “modern-day lepers.” We have to face stigma on a daily basis. Educating others about our disease is the best way possible to end this non-deserved stigma. We have to approach this duty in a very loving and non judgmental way and strive not to be like the ones who are judging us.
I have found so much peace and love through GOD, our loving “Heavenly Father.” HE has shown his existence to me in so many loving and astounding ways that I have no choice but to follow HIM on a daily basis. Prayer, fellowship with other believers, and listening to HIS small, yet undeniable voice gets me through each day with an astounding peace of mind. Since truly finding HIM in 2007, I have never been happier or more at peace with myself, who I am, and who HE chose to make me.
Everyone should have some source of spiritual outlet. Just being surrounded by like-minded believers works wonders in relieving stress, anxiety, and worry. After all, it is a proven fact that living “stress free” is one of the determining factors in how we can survive and live a much longer, stronger, and more productive life with HIV.
GOD
BLESS and GOOD LUCK!
You are in my prayers!
David
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Today, the call for HIV/Aids and poverty reduction and rural self-sustainability is in high demand.
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It is becoming increasingly clear that success in the struggle to minimize the devastating effects of HIV/Aids in isolated communities will largely depend on the ability of the different stakeholders and volunteers to work together. Indeed civil society has done its best to supplement government efforts in the struggle, and needs both recognition and support for the ongoing and sustainable services it offers.
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It has been noted, beyond doubt, that it is mainly children and women who are most vulnerable to the effects of the HIV/Aids epidemic. Since they are mostly dependent on the head of the traditional family (men are the family bread-winner) they are, more often than not, left in the most difficult and dire situations.
Even though ARVs and other medical care may be available in certain health-care centers (and, in the case of
There are many people in outlying communities who have tested HIV positive and have related problems and questions and yet they are not able to access the support they need and medical advice about treatment. There are also those who suspect they have the virus but cannot convince themselves to undergo testing and nor can they find counselors for guidance.
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The specific aims of Volset Foundation in this special issue include:
- The promotion of PHAs involvement in the dissemination of health information and provision of counseling services in the community
- Giving attention to children and women who live in situations where distress is likely to escalate
- Referrals to closer medical and counseling services for HIV/AIDS & STDs
30,262,610: population of
810,000: Estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS by the end of 2007
5.4%: Estimated percentage of adults (ages 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS by the end of 2007
59%: Estimated percentage of HIV cases that occurred among women (ages 15-49) by the end of 2007
130,000: Estimated number of children (ages 0-15) living with HIV/AIDS by the end of 2007
77,000: Estimated number of deaths due to AIDS during 2007
Source
UNAIDS 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic. July 2008.
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2009
Currently just over 200,000 people in Uganda are receiving antiretroviral treatment, an estimated 39 percent of those in need, according to the latest WHO guidelines (2010) The latest guidelines recommend starting treatment earlier and have therefore increased the number of people estimated to be in need of treatment. Under the previous guidelines, treatment coverage in Uganda would be 53 percent
Less than a fifth of Ugandan children who require treatment are receiving it. Stigma is cited as one of the main reasons for this; many parents live in denial about their child’s status. A further hindrance to providing treatment is that health care providers are becoming oversubscribed, with many being forced to turn away people seeking ARV treatment. Dr. Fiona Kalinda, Clinical Manager at the Joint Clinical Research Centre in Kampala said: The dilemma here is that we made a promise to patients. If they came here for HIV care, we said if you qualify for treatment, you'll get treatment. Now we have to tell them to go elsewhere."
Dr Elizabeth Madraa, manager of Uganda’s AIDS Control Programme reports:
“The management of the whole supply chain is very weak and problematic… We are now moving slowly as a result of the stock-outs because if we spread out rapidly and ran out of drugs, it would be disastrous”
Uganda aims to relieve the drug supply problems by producing its own generic drugs. In 2007, the Luziria factory opened in the capital Kampala, in partnership with the Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla. However, it did not start manufacturing drugs until 2009. In March 2010, the factory received qualification from WHO to market and distribute drugs nationally and internationally. It is hoped that the factory, which has the capacity to produce at least 2 million tablets per day, will reduce the cost of drugs as well as the likelihood of stock-outs. However, President Museveni has voiced frustration that the drugs manufactured by the factory are not being bought by local health officials who instead continue to rely on the import of generic drugs from abroad, mainly from India.
AIDS activists have also expressed concern that trade-related laws which enforce intellectual property rights might make it illegal for Uganda to produce, import and export generic drugs in the future.
In 2009, HIV activists in Uganda protested against the diversion of earmarked funds from the purchase of antiretroviral drugs. This was closely followed by a recommendation by parliamentarians that Ministry of Health spending on HIV/AIDS increase from 6 percent to 15 percent of the national budget in order to effectively deal with the epidemic. A few months later, announcements made by the head of HIV programming in the Ministry of Health committed to delivering 60 billion Ugandan shillings ($26.5 million) each year to HIV treatment. Around the time of this announcement, it was clear that increasing demand and reduced donor funding was having an effect on the provision of HIV treatment. In March 2010 Peter Mugyenyi, the Director of the Joint Medical Research Centre in Uganda, spoke of turning away 'desperate patients' on a daily basis due to funding shortages. Such difficulties in providing treatment were echoed by other health facilities in Uganda who also placed an informal ban on the enrollment of new patients.
In response to the ban on enrolling new patients, PEPFAR announced an injection of funds in September 2010, amounting to around $5.5 million for antiretroviral treatment. However, it was noted at the time by the US ambassador to Uganda that..."The US Government cannot - and should not - be the only source of funding for Uganda's HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment efforts" PEPFAR's 2009-2013 strategy places increased emphasis on providing technical support for partner countries. In line with this new focus, PEPFAR has reduced funding for treatment programmes and in 2009-2010 funds for antiretroviral drugs fell by 17 percent. Considering that Uganda aims to have 240,000 people on treatment by 2012, Uganda must think about the sustainability of its HIV treatment programme, especially as 95 percent of the ARV programme is currently donor funded, mainly by PEPFAR.
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ref: http://www.avert.org/aids-uganda.htm#contentTable2
HIV AND AIDS ESTIMATES (2009)
Number of people living with HIV
1,200,000 [1,100,000 - 1,300,000]
Adults aged 15 to 49 prevalence rate
6.5% [5.9% - 6.9%]
Adults aged 15 and up living with HIV
1,000,000 [940,000 - 1,100,000]
Women aged 15 and up living with HIV
610,000 [540,000 - 680,000]
Children aged 0 to 14 living with HIV
150,000 [80,000 - 210,000]
Deaths due to AIDS
64,000 [49,000 - 80,000]
Orphans due to AIDS aged 0 to 17
1,200,000 [1,000,000 - 1,400,000]
Source:
http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/uganda/
Children's School link:
http://www.volsetfoundationug.org/future-diplomats-education-centre-foundation.php
