Ending the HIV Epidemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, communities around the world expressed an outpouring of gratitude and love for the health workers fighting on the front lines against this new, highly transmissible virus. 

As EGPAF marks the 40th anniversary of the first reported case of HIV, we think back to how health workers have been at the front lines of the HIV pandemic from the uncertainty of its early days, through the decades of remarkable innovations, and alongside the current uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Now, on this World AIDS Day, we are shining the spotlight on health workers in Tanzania who show up at health centers and in local communities every day to make sure that every person has access to lifesaving treatment at each stage of life, and no concern goes unheard. 

Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission

“Most children are born HIV-negative.”

Lucy Kavuye started working at Same District Hospital, Tanzania, as the in-charge maternity nurse in 2003, when HIV rates were at their highest level in Tanzania. Two years later, the district started its prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) program to make sure that babies are not infected with HIV during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. 

Now, as the reproductive and child health coordinator for Same District, Nurse Kavuye takes pride in the program’s success. Mother-to-child transmission is virtually eliminated, at less than 1%.   

“What I enjoy about my work is that most pregnant women living with HIV accept our services and enroll in the PMTCT program,” says Nurse Lucy.

“And what makes me even happier is that most children are born HIV-negative. When the child reaches 18 months of age, the mother brings the child in for a confirmation test. She is happy to bring that child here so that they can see that the child is HIV negative.”

Connecting with the Community

“I have become a teacher in the community.”

Catherine Alphonse learned her HIV-positive status in 2005 when she was tested during an antenatal care visit for her second child. The health workers assured Catherine that she could be healthy and deliver an HIV-free baby, which she did.

In 2006, a nurse asked Catherine if she would be willing to work at the hospital as a community health worker.  

“When a woman has received her HIV-positive test result, I reach to her, and I hug her. I quietly ask her to come, and we go for a talk. I tell her, ‘Don’t be afraid; I was in the same boat as you. I was afraid, and I even cried. But after the education I was given, I no longer expected to die soon. What you have got isn’t a problem. If you adhere to these drugs, your immunity will increase.’ So for five or six months, I continue with positive messages until she can accept herself. I educate her that she is not alone.”

“I have become a teacher in the community,” says Catherine. “I have become an example. I believe that this work I am doing is a great achievement for me and for the community and for the whole of Tanzania—because I believe that there is 100% assurance of getting to an AIDS-free generation.” 

Supporting Young Men

“It takes someone with HIV to tell his peers that they can live a normal life.”

Hussein Saleh was born with HIV and grew up facing the challenges of living with HIV at a time when stigma in the community was high. As a child, he found solace and friendship in a support group with other children living with HIV that was sponsored by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF).

“I felt good about myself because of the camp, and I started educating the community and my fellow youth,” says Hussein. “I gained courage to even stand up in front of the community and share my experience.” That courage inspired Hussein to become a lay counselor.  

“Men, in particular, are a challenge. I think it takes a level of understanding: understanding the male ego and fear of the community looking down on them. I work as a counselor at the hospital, I talk at public events, and I also go to places where men socialize.”

“It takes someone with HIV to tell his peers that they can live a normal life. Stigma is inevitable when a person finds out that they are living with HIV unless they associate with people who understand the condition or with other people who are living with HIV. I take a stand and share my experience to show that it is a condition that can be managed, and they can be healthy like me.” 

Sharing Experience

“My life is of great value not only to me, but also to the surrounding community.”

Tatu Msangi started her career as a nurse in 1998. In 2004, she discovered that she is living with HIV. She was pregnant with her daughter, Faith, at the time, and was extremely grateful that antiretroviral drugs and prevention of mother-to-child transmission services were available.  

“As a nurse, I can tell you that when the first HIV test is carried out on a baby and it’s negative, it is amazing to see the relief and joy on a mother’s face. I remember that feeling so many years ago, fighting so hard to keep my daughter healthy and free of HIV. My daughter, Faith, is all the proof you need that an AIDS-free generation is possible.” 

“I have disclosed my status to my family, and it gives them courage to see me as medical personnel taking care of sick people,” Nurse Msangi says. “They see me as a role model, and that has brought a lot of changes to my surrounding community. 

“A person’s life values a lot. I have a daughter, and if I struggle for my life then who will take care to my daughter? Who will take care to my community? So, my life is of great value not only to me, but also to the surrounding community.”

Listening with Heart

“Nurse Msangi treats us as equals. She is our constant source of guidance.”

Among her other duties at Mount Meru Hospital, Nurse Msangi is a mentor to the adolescents and young adults living with HIV, who have made the hospital their peer support clubhouse. She supervises monthly youth support sessions where young people discuss HIV transmission, treatment, and management, answering any medical questions they may have and mentoring the peer educators on the facts related to HIV. 

Even outside of these sessions, the young people gravitate to the hospital in their free time, where they know that Nurse Msangi will be a listening ear and will counsel them on how to deal with their health and psychosocial issues.  

“Nurse Msangi treats us as equals,” says Tumaini Mishana, a member of the teen club for young people living with HIV. “She is our consistent source of guidance. We look to her as our older sister who teaches us, but also joins us in fun—like our dancing.”

In these uncertain times of dual pandemics—COVID-19 and HIV— the resilience of health care providers and social support workers has sustained the wellness of their community members. This World AIDS Day, we celebrate their efforts and applaud their commitment as they work every day to give rise to an AIDS-free generation.