Living with HIV/Aids on the island

Anger
Mr Okoth’s concern is echoed in many other homesteads, like in Davis Odhiambo’s where despite having accepted to be taken through the pre-test counselling, the extended family of five gangs up against the medical social workers and demands to be told why the government has failed to establish a good-enough health facility to serve the islanders.

“You are now the third group to come here and ask to test us,” the hostile young adult called out in Swahili, “but you go away with our samples and never give us our results. HIV organisations coming to the islands are just playing with our minds and we can’t trust you anymore. How are you helping us?” he demands to know, even though he had been informed that the result would be instant. “If you find us with the virus will you give us the medicine that we need?”

Nevertheless his 26-year-old brother, Daniel Okech* accepts to take the couple test with his wife. Following the results, they are found to be a discordant couple. He is advised to enrol on a health care programme at the Mayuge District Hospital. At the end of the day, we leave Lolwe Island, a place full of despondent people. It is clear that unless something is done fast, HIV/Aids in this area will kill many.

* Names have been changed to protect individuals’ identities.