DOING THE WRONG THING WITH THE RIGHT MOTIVE

It came loud and straight to the point: HIV is no longer an issue and should not be treated like an emergency from next year. This sounds so easy a sentence!

What the NASCOP Senior Program officer, Dr. Martin Sinego’s words, while speaking to the press on the government’s stand on HIV, lacked was knowledge and understanding of the whole scenario of the HIV virus. This is a life threatening condition and so far no cure has been found for it. The presentation of this condition to Kenyans more than two decades ago was as threatening as the virus. What Dr. Sinego should have thought is how to pull this presentation from Kenyans’ minds in more intensified education on transmission, prevention and treatment.

My guess may be wrong, but with all due respect some of our leaders in Kenya need serious peer and civic education and proper training to understand HIV. The comments usually made by these leaders make us reflect that the peer and civic education on HIV we give to the people in the grassroots should also be given to these leaders.

While the senior Programs Officer may have thought of fighting stigma in this style, what he lacks is an understanding that a lot is still untouched in HIV education in Kenya. HIV-related stigma is rife in health facilities. Before we jump to the conclusion that HIV is no longer an issue, let us take time to eliminate the malicious whispers, jeers and sneers from our health facilities. He may have done what I would call the 'wrong thing with the right motive'. Let us look for better ways and methods to fight stigma, especially in health facilities.

As our leaders explore the national HIV status, they supposedly view the reports which read that “all is well “in the provinces and counties. But who has ever listened to the news from the antenatal clinics where HIV+ mothers are treated with such indignation and disrespect? Who has addressed the issue of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who queue for hours in general hospital outpatients and are treated last because of their status?

Did I hear someone say 'the wearer knows where the shoe pinches? Unless you are infected with this virus, you cannot understand how unwelcome a visitor it is! While we comfort ourselves and say all is well, PLHIV cannot predict how they will wake up tomorrow. This virus keeps changing its form! Today somebody may be well, tomorrow you wake up with a swollen rib, a closed eye, a blocked nose or however the virus wants to manifest itself.

We must educate these leaders! The people in the grassroots seem to be more informed than them. Do you remember Minister for Special Programs, Esther Murugi’s recent remark of "locking up all HIV+ people"?  Without the slightest sign of remorse she said in front of cameras, pens and notebooks that people living with HIV should be segregated in a prevention bid. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Sinego speaks: “HIV is no longer an issue!”Come on leaders - explore and seek knowledge before you make such stigmatizing statements!