Connect with us

Nigeria In One Minute

Traumatising narratives of living with HIV/AIDS

Published

on

Many wonder about the continuous suicidal attempts in the country especially at Lagos lagoons. Little will people know that these are people who have sentenced themselves to death after hearing the life changing news about their health.

“I thought it was the end of the world when I received the shocking news that I had Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and I was contemplating on committing suicide. I condemned myself because it was then, a disease for the so-called accursed, people,” Mr. Salisu Ahmed said.

Ahmed faced humiliation from people around him, even at his work place where he ekes out a living and supports his small family. “Before the infection I was formerly a teacher, I dropped out because of my condition. I was deteriorating clinically. “I was advised in my own interest by the school management to leave so that I will not wait until I get sacked or get booted out,” he said.

Ahmed also faced rejection in his residential place because his condition was no longer a secret since his wife abandoned him in his deteriorating state and his two tender children, who he struggled to cater for despite his condition.

The Guardian, December 1, 2018

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now