Optimism and cheerfulness can be seen in Hartini. She no longer considers her life’s journey as a fate to be lamented but as a destiny to be lived with gratitude. Since she first learned of her diagnosis with stage 4 AIDS, there has not been a trace of sadness in her.
“Because I thought, okay, I’m going to die from the HIV virus, not from being beaten up, since at that time I was also a victim of domestic violence. So, I figured my mom would probably handle it better if I died from an illness rather than from being beaten,” said Hartini.
According to estimates by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Indonesia ranks first in the number of people living with HIV in Southeast Asia, with approximately 540,000 individuals in 2021, followed by Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the human immune system. Meanwhile, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) emerges after the HIV virus has attacked our immune system for five to ten years or more. Due to the weakened immune system, parasites can more easily invade, which can result in fatal consequences.
Hartini has been married three times. Several processes must be undertaken by Hartini to prevent the transmission of HIV from herself to her future baby. These include regular viral load (VL) checks to detect the level of HIV in her blood and taking antiretroviral (ARV) medication consistently every day. Not only Hartini, but her husband Helmi is also at risk of infection, so he is required to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). However, as long as Hartini maintains an undetectable VL and consistently takes her ARV medication, HIV transmission to Helmi will not occur.
Hartini works as the Head of the Ikatan Perempuan Positif Indonesia (Positive Women’s Association of Indonesia/IPPI) Prevention Program.
Besides Hartini, there is also Rina who is HIV positive. That day, the waiting chairs at the children’s clinic of the Tangerang district hospital were busier than usual. Parents and children were waiting to enter the doctor’s room. The doctor could only be seen twice a week. Among the crowded patients, there was Rina with a wistful look.
“R Warinah,” called a nurse in a loud voice.
It was Rina’s turn. Once a month, Rina has a consultation with a pediatric specialist to discuss and obtain a prescription for her second child, who is also HIV positive. Rina, now 41 years old, has three sons.
“I never knew I had HIV because I had no symptoms and felt perfectly healthy. Then, suddenly, my second child fell ill with a severe cough, mouth sores, and drastic weight loss. As my child’s condition worsened, my husband and I took them to Bakti Asih Hospital, where they were admitted for 10 days. They did a full blood test, and then my husband and I were called by the doctor, who explained that our second child was HIV positive,” Rina shared.
In 2013, being diagnosed with HIV shattered the foundation of Rina’s life. Feelings of turmoil, shame, and a whirlwind of thoughts haunted her every day, weakening her body. Rina finally started ARV therapy in 2015. Many new insights about HIV opened Rina’s eyes and gradually led her to accept her situation. She briefly ran a small food stall business, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decline in customers. In 2021, Rina was invited to join an HIV/AIDS community IPPI.
Rina stated that women should have the courage to get themselves checked early if they know they are at risk. The earlier it is detected, the easier the treatment will be.
Women with HIV/AIDS should not be stigmatized, discriminated against, or avoided. With proper treatment, they can lead normal lives just like anyone else.
