Overcoming Stigma and access to health: a man’s Battle with HIV in Mozambique

João* was weighed down by a profound sense of weakness, each step a challenge and every breath an effort. The world around him became a blur as fatigue enveloped his body and clouded his mind. 

Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, he managed to rise and head to the hospital. 

Following a series of tests, João received a devastating diagnosis: he was HIV positive. Despite the crushing news and his deteriorating physical condition, João diligently adhered to the doctor's instructions, taking his medication as prescribed.  

His health began to improve, and he felt like his old self again. However, believing that he was cured due to his renewed strength and well-being, João ceased collecting his antiretroviral therapy medication from the local hospital.  

As fate would have it, his health took a turn for the worse, and in no time, he found himself back at the hospital seeking medical assistance once again for his ailing body. Unfortunately, he was turned away.  

Determined to seek medical help, João visited a second medical facility. After presenting his documents, he was instructed to return to the first hospital facility who dispensed his medicine initially. Despite complying, he was once again turned away. 

Frustrated and feeling hopeless, João sought assistance from a third and then a fourth facility, but the result was the same, he was referred to the first health facility repeatedly. Exhausted, sick, and feeling devoid of options, João returned home, resigning himself to whatever fate had in store.  

He now lacked the strength to provide for his family or engage in activities with his children. 

One day, there was an unexpected knock on the door. IOM’s community health workers, engaged in door-to-door case-finding, encountered João when he needed help the most. They took up his case, accompanied him to the hospital, and ensured that João received his HIV medication once again. 

“The IOM Community Health Worker helped me a lot and they should not stop, there are other people who doesn’t understand the disease and the importance of the continuous treatment,” João tells.  

Since receiving proper medical care and support, João has regained his health. He has returned to his farming activities and livelihood to sustain his family and play with his children again.  

“I went back to farming, my children now go to school, I can work to get food and feed my family, and my health is as good as before,” he shares. “But I know I can’t stop the treatment. Even if I feel well, I need to keep taking it to avoid falling ill again.  As soon as the date is due, I go to collect my medication,” he explains, sharing his story of recovery and resilience. 

The Stigma 

The community's perception of HIV in Mozambique is marked by profound stigma and discrimination. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) face prejudice due to lack of understanding about the disease, myths and taboos surrounding sexuality, religious beliefs, and a mistaken belief that the primary mode of transmission is through morally condemned sexual behaviors. This stigma results in an unfair classification of PLWHA as promiscuous, disregarding other transmission routes like blood transfusions. Moreover, stigma is inherently tied to contempt for moral values, further exacerbating discrimination.  

Discrimination manifests in various aspects of PLWHA's lives, including in the workplace, healthcare institutions, schools, and media. Workers are fired, students are ostracized, and patients face rights violations such as lack of consent for testing and refusal of treatment. The media contributes to reinforcing negative stereotypes, portraying PLWHA as hopeless individuals and associating the disease with death. This marginalization leads to silence and denial, hindering the adoption of prevention and treatment measures and increasing the risk of HIV transmission. 

Living with HIV in Mozambique 

HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks the immune system, crucial in fighting infections. In Mozambique, where stigma often stems from misconceptions and societal taboos, it's vital to debunk myths and promote understanding. Official data reveals a significant HIV prevalence, with an estimated 2.4 million people living with the virus as of recent reports. Contrary to misconceptions, HIV is not solely transmitted through sexual contact but also via blood transfusions, shared needles, and from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. 

It's crucial to emphasize that with proper treatment, such as antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV can lead normal, healthy lives. Treatment not only suppresses the virus to undetectable levels in the blood but also prevents its transmission to others. Education and awareness play pivotal roles in reducing stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS. By fostering a supportive environment and understanding the facts, we can help individuals access the care they need while promoting compassion and respect within our communities. 

IOM’s Work 

IOM enhances community-based responses in displacement affected areas and supports access to primary and specialized health care services, including TB and HIV treatment, by training and deploying integrated community health teams. These teams raise awareness about HIV/TB prevention practices, identify patients who have lost contact with healthcare services or have new cases of HIV and TB, refer them to appropriate care, and ensure they adhere to their treatment. Additionally, IOM provides HIV self-testing kits at the community level, empowering individuals to know their status and seek timely treatment.  

If you need information or support related to HIV, you can call Linha Verde 1458. 

João* not his real name

These activities are supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), The Government of Ireland - Embassy of Ireland in Mozambique, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.