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Resources
HIV/AIDS DOES NOT EQUAL SUFFERING, DISHONOR, OR DEATH. It is a treatable illness. As proven by our friend’s testimony, people with HIV/AIDS are still able to work, provide and care for their family, get married, have healthy children, pursue their goals, and have a long and fulfilling life. HIV/AIDS is not the end.
THE HIV VIRUS IS ONLY TRANSMITTED FROM BLOOD & BODY FLUIDS • Having unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner with HIV • Contacts with HIV infected blood in transfusions and needle sharing • As a baby of an HIV-infected mother, during pregnancy, labour or delivery, or through breastfeeding.
ARV OR ANTIRETROVIRAL IS THE ONLY MEDICINE PROVEN TO TREAT HIV/AIDS. It is available for free at many nearby clinics and hospitals. ARV suppresses the HIV virus and maintains the body’s immune system. Remember that by taking ARV regularly someone who is HIV positive can still live a normal and healthy life.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET TESTED FOR HIV. By knowing our status we could get immediate treatment and prevent passing the HIV virus to our loved ones. Many clinics and hospitals in Tanah Papua offer free HIV test with immediate results.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CONTRACTING HIV. Use a condom during sexual intercourse and refrain from sharing a needle.
STAYING HEALTHY WHILE LIVING WITH HIV REQUIRES EFFORTS. To ensure a healthy life it’s best to seek assistance and motivation from the nearest support group, counselor, and family members and close friends that you trust. Also, follow your doctor’s advice, get routine medical checkups, get plenty of rest, exercise, eat nutritious food, reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, and most importantly take ARV regularly and on time.
THE HIV VIRUS IS NOT TRANSMITTED BY • Air or water • Insects, including mosquitoes or ticks • Saliva, tears, or sweat • Casual contact, like shaking hands, or hugging. • Sharing eating utensils or clothes • Drinking fountains • Toilet seats
PREVENT TRANSMITTING THE HIV VIRUS. Disclose your status immediately to intimate partners and spouse once diagnosed with HIV and take preventive measures to stop further transmission. A pregnant woman with HIV can prevent passing the HIV virus to her unborn child by following PCMTCT of Prevention Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV available at pre-natal care clinic.
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Take Action
STIGMATIZATION AND DISCRIMINATION CAUSE NEGATIVE ATTITUDES AND ABUSE toward people living with HIV/AIDS or who are at risk of HIV infections. DISCRIMINATION IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS with negative consequences. • Loss of employment, livelihoods, and property • Loss of social status • Loss of marriage, children, and friends • Social exclusion or expulsion from home and community • Violence • Physical and psychological abuse • Denial of medical services • Lack of care and support • Suffering and mortality
WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO END THE STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION RELATED TO HIV/AIDS in our healthcare facilities, school, work, community, home, and within ourselves. • Stop discriminatory actions such as verbal and physical abuse and expulsion • Stop using negative words to describe individuals living with HIV/AIDS • Treat them with respect and dignity • Provide assistance and support • Ensure confidentiality of status • Break the silence and challenge attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that contribute to stigma and discrimination in your community • Share positive stories of success about individuals living with HIV/AIDS to your friends and family • Learn more about HIV/AIDS by visiting the nearest clinic or hospital
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I COULDN’T HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT THE KINDNESS AND COURAGE of my friends who trusted me into their lives to tell their inspiring stories: Yosua Rumkorem, Reni Purwoningsih, Wesley Kosai, Meri Itlay, Jhon Mateus, Ibu Ratna, and Siti Rumkakir. All of you are heroes. Thank you. Additional support by: • Sorong Sehati • YPKM Wamena • Klinik Kalvari Wamena • Open Society Foundations • Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) staffs in Tanah Papua Special thanks to my friends and colleagues for their help and guidance during production: • Joni Wong • Okky Ardya • Ulet Ifansasti • Gembong Nusantara • Hai Truong at Creative Squeeze • Nanang Sujana & Leoni Rahmawati • Kevin WY Lee at Invisible Photographer Asia • Muhammad Fadli & Putu Sayoga at Arka Project The financial backing for this project was supported in part by the Catchlight Activist Grant (formerly PhotoPhilanthropy).