SOMALIA: Ahmed Ibrahim, "People refuse to shake my hand; they will only wave at me"

BOSASSO, 24 February 2009 (PlusNews) - Ahmed Ibrahim, 55, was diagnosed with tuberculosis in Bosasso, in the autonomous region of Puntland, Somalia, in 2007, and shortly afterwards also tested positive for HIV. Today, he speaks openly about his condition to the Somali public but, as he told IRIN/PlusNews, dealing with stigma is a constant struggle.

"I went to a private clinic in Bosasso [commercial capital of the northeastern self-declared autonomous region of Puntland] with complaints that would turn out to be related to tuberculosis [TB]. The clinician referred me to Mercy TB Centre, where I could access drugs for free.

"He also brought in some tea and we had a good conversation as we sipped. We discussed HIV/AIDS - I remember him asking me if I had heard about HIV. I told him I was aware. Anyway, after some counselling he did an HIV test and told me I was positive.

"My first reaction was: 'If it is Allah's order, then, no problem.' I was calm and relaxed, I think owing to the way the clinician handled me. He assured me that I would not die right away, but would live for as long as Allah wished.

"At the Bosasso Mercy TB Centre I was right away started on TB treatment. Initially, I was confused and did not know how to handle this situation. I feared I would pass the virus to my children, wife, and others if we shared food or utensils.

"At one time I even considered divorcing my wife, telling her we could not stay together while I lived with HIV - she was my fourth and the only one living with me, I had separated from the others already.

"She pleaded with me, saying it was Allah's fate that I was HIV-positive, and convinced me we could still live together and even have safe sex.

"But the society has been hard on me. When my boss - I worked with the government of Puntland as an electrical technician - learnt about my condition, he sent me away. He said he could not work with an HIV-positive person and asked that I leave, just like that.

"Some of my friends and colleagues at work also treated me badly. When I owned up to my condition, some discriminated against me. To date, some people laugh at me and others do not even want to associate with me. People refuse to shake my hand; they will only wave at me.

"The biggest problem is lack of information on HIV in Somalia. Now, I open up to people and talk about HIV - I tell them I am infected. I do this through public lectures, at public gatherings and through the radio.

"I also operate my own electrical shop, but all has not been smooth. At one time I was in poor health, had lost so much weight and was very thin and weak; I also had rashes on my skin, fever, and pain in my legs.

"I was treated at Bosasso Hospital and since I was still on TB medication, I understand I could not be put on ARVs [antiretrovirals] immediately. I have since been completely healed of TB and I am now taking ARVs.

"Life has also not treated me fairly. My wife died of a pregnancy-related complication months after I became aware of my HIV status. But I have not lost hope in life ... I want to make a fresh start.

"I want to marry again, this time to someone who understands my condition and is a friend. I want to be with someone who is also living with HIV."

wm/kr/he

Theme (s): HIV/AIDS (PlusNews),

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]