Saya Positif Newsprint (English)

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CHAPTER 51

52 I AM POSITIF
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.
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.
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
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.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CON-
TRACTING HIV. Use a condom during
sexual intercourse and refrain from sharing
a needle.
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.
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.
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.

CHAPTER 53

56 I AM POSITIF
Take Action
STIGMATIZATION AND DISCRIMINA-
TION 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 DISCRIMINA-
TION 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

CHAPTER 57

I COULDN’T HAVE DONE THIS WITH-
OUT 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).