Maria N.

I had a partner who was HIV-positive. After being with him for some good time, he disclosed to me that he was HIV-positive. He told me, I want you to go and test. If you are found positive, you start the drugs before it is too late.

They went to the clinic together, where Maria N. was diagnosed with HIV. Though she was started on anti-retroviral therapy, she struggled to maintain the daily treatment regimen. It became even more difficult after her partner died.

There was lack of counseling. I needed someone to talk to me.

Three years later, in 2020, a local organization, started doing HIV outreach in Masaka’s Nyendo Market Triangle area. It is a poor area on the outskirts of the city and a popular spot for sex workers, like Maria. Their clients know to find them in a handful of dingy bars. So, somehow, did the counselors from Alliance of Women Advocating for Change.

They started these meetings, and they talked about adherence. We joined these groups of people with the same status and the idea was we share the information about adherence. Now I’m doing well on the drugs, as you can see. There’s no challenge with taking the drugs.

She is now so consistent with her treatment that her clinicians will give her a six-month supply of anti-retroviral treatment at a time. She was expecting the same amount when she went for her regular appointment earlier this month.

They told me the drug is almost out of stock. So they just gave me drugs for two months. I got scared. If the situation doesn’t come to normal, how am I going to survive?

Her health worker explained that the shortfall was linked to the U.S. administration’s pause on foreign aid. There had been no delivery of ARVs since the late January announcement, and their supplies were already dwindling.

They tried to counsel my mind and heart. It’s like a situation where someone has been taking care of you and has died. What comes next? Let us pray the situation returns to normal.