With all the daily findings,
living with HIV has been simplified each day but some aspects that are given
lesser attention are still a hindering factor that complicates care and treatment
of the disease. While we reached out to fellow Young People Living with
HIV/AIDS (YPLHIV) to see their survival in the economic market, we got
astonishing responses and which came to my conclusion that it is easier for an
HIV negative person to acquire a job than the HIV positive fellow. Many of the
youths told me that they had missed out on very important jobs immediately
after disclosure either for a fact that some company medical policies do not
cater for HIV/AIDS related treatment or because the panel of interviewers
throws a very strong discriminative statement.
For instance Jane (not real name)
told us that during her interview, she was asked whether she had something else
to say and she disclosed her HIV status to the panel though to her shock, a
particular individual on that panel asked whether she will not spread the virus
to the whole staff members. Even though there was a good salary scheme, she
turned down the offer in fear for self stigma. Another also disclosed to a particular panel
that and her interview was immediately turned down with a claim that she is
less competent.
Even though people have made it
easier for us to disclose our HIV status, it becomes tougher to confess in
circumstances that are economic related knowing that the biggest part of our
lives depends on the economic stability. Being economically incapacitated means
that there will be no balanced diet, no fuller medical care because even if the
Anti-retroviral drugs are free, there will not be enough transportation to take
you to a particular ART centre (Health Facility) to attain that service, and
some HIV positive people need the money to support their other dependants or
pay tuition and upkeep money.
Many HIV activists have come up
to help out the situation for example to advocate for the formulation or help
in the formulation of national and international based policies such as the HIV
at work policy that supports positives within the age bracket of 15-49
(productive age) to get employed and not to be stigmatized amongst their peers
at work place and they should be given medical leaves to attend to their
health.
In conclusion, In order to help
young PLHIV feel free to apply for the available jobs and also stand a chance
to compete favorably in interviews, we should engage all stake holders to have
in place practical measures that guard against HIV related stigma and
discrimination in our communities. This will contribute to the improvement in
the quality of life of all People Living with HIV/AIDS
Musah Lumumba & Allen
Kyendikuwa
Y+ Advisory Group Members
