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About GATAG
Our Supporters
GATAG GATAG.org en français |
About ~ Our Achievements ~ Contact Us ~ Julius' Story Julius Amoako Bekoe: I was born in Akwapin – Akropong in the Eastern Region of Ghana. I lived a life of abstinence until the age of 24. At that age on the day I was celebrating by birthday my friends who came to that party came along with a beautiful girl name (withheld), I feel in love with her in that party. I was in this relationship for 2 years before my girlfriend, now my, fiancée started developing several cases of illness, but due to the limited knowledge I had at that time about HIV/AIDS, I never suspected that she was sick of AIDS related opportunistic infection, later when the illness became serious she was sent home to the parents for alternative treatment (Herbal Medicine) After some few Weeks, she got better and returned back to school. Almost at that same period, I also fell sick of pneumonia and I was taken to the hospital, I spent a week their and the doctor suggested I go to Korle-bu Hospital because I lack blood, so I needed transfusion. I was then diagnosed at Korle-bu and admitted for 1 month, at which time my blood sample and scrotum was taken for laboratory test, after 3 days of the test, the laboratory technician told me on the day of the result that they have mixed up by blood sample with other person own, so I should give another blood sample for a repeat test. 3 days later he also demanded another sample for the same reason, so I refused offering another blood sample which of course I was lacking for laboratory test, but after persuasion from my father and others I agreed for the 3rd blood sample for laboratory test. After the final test, the hospital decided to discharge me because as they claim I am now O.K I don’t need any more blood transfusion. But the very day I was to leave the hospital my parents where there to take me in a happy mood, but after their discussion with the doctor, I realized that their mood changed. The nurse on duty took me to the fevers unit of the Hospital, There I was then counseled for the first time by the two nurses. When finally the information was given to me, that I have tested HIV positive, The thought that came to my mind first was to commit suicide, but the counseling room was locked and there was nothing visible I could use to harm myself, I tried strangling the nurse who break the news to me so that I would be tried for murder and executed, but the nurse maintained her composure, this discouraged me so much that I breakdown and cried for hours with no interruption from the nurses.
After that cry I seem a beat relieved from the stress of
knowing my status. When now the nurses see I am strong again, they now
started counseling me on positive living with HIV virus, the things I should
do and what I should avoid as a person living with the virus. I have been diagnosed HIV+ for 3 years now. I was a victim of unauthorized disclosure of sero-status, when the medical personnel's disclose my sero-status to my parents before letting me know. I lost my job at Afgo Cargo at the Airport, due to the doctor sending my test report to the office. After it became a public notice that I was HIV+ in my company, When I went out for launch in the company’s canteen, anywhere I sat to take my meal, my co - workers would leave me alone on that table (Isolated) as if I was an outcaste.
This is my rented room’s window with wood nailed across it. My Landlord on learning about my HIV status from his daughter, barricaded the window of my room, as seen in this picture above, in order to force me out of his house. Now as you read, I need Twenty million six hundred thousand cedis (¢20,600,000.00) which is about €2,040 (Two thousand and forty Euro) to rent and furnish a house, just because I disclose my HIV status at a school HIV prevention awareness programme. Yet I am not gainfully employed anywhere I had a personal experience at the hospital with the victimization of peoples living with HIV/AIDS especially health workers at our hospitals and clinics. They claim that we are the cause the infection we had, and so deserve no treatment. All these factors combined with a lack of antiretroviral treatment and proper diagnostics make life miserable for our people living with HIV/AIDS. The Social aspect of the life of an HIV+ person.
The reality of life of PLWHAsThe reality of AIDS today is stark and fearsome and life depriving as what is confronting overwhelming majority of poor Africans. AIDS still means stigma, suffering and death. For Africans treatment remains inaccessible. Death rates are rising, HIV prevalence continue to defy acceptance of belief. Hope is not a word that lies on our tongues
Effect of Discrimination and Stigmatization
Initially I embarked on a personal campaign of prevention of HIV/AIDS infection. I have been involved in a lot of campaign with so many people. Churches, schools, companies and community. Once I visited Kumasi on one of the prevention campaign I had and When people heard that I was HIV positive and AIDS activist, they informed me of someone who has been quarantined because he is HIV positive, I went there and his condition was miserable because the people do not know much about this virus. I had to clean the room, order for food for the patient washed his clothes and eat with him from the same bowl and drink from the same cup just to demonstrate that those living with the virus cannot infect others by eating or drinking from the bowl and cup. Presenting now I have volunteer to work with GATAG, Now I serve as the National Co-ordinator for (GATAG), an association of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS with their allies, advocating for treating access for PLWHAs. We work under a very hash condition due to lack of money to support our advocacy work. They are the only network in Ghana talking about treatment of PLWHAs, even when the government do not see it necessary to accelerate treatment, GATAG break-the-silence about treatment of AIDS with antiretroviral drugs. Therefore as AIDS activist I fight with GATAG for the Ghanaian PLWHAs to be treated.
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©2006 GATAG - Ghana AIDS Treatment Access Group |
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