Gifty*, who lives in Ghana’s Ahafo Region, faced stigma and discrimination at first when she fell ill and was later diagnosed with HIV. Her perseverance coupled with support from a local HIV case manager helped her turn a corner in her treatment and care to live a healthier, happier life.
Stigma and Lack of Treatment
It all started when she became very sick. She faced stigmatization from her family members who refused to provide her with any support or accommodation. As a trader at the local market, they even stopped buying from her.
In June 2020, her younger brother, who was the only family member who maintained contact with her, took her to the government hospital where he worked and she received medications that helped her feel better.
When the news broke out in her village that I had visited the hospital, she faced further discrimination from her community and was labeled a “witch.” After returning home from receiving treatment, leaving her room became challenging because of the associated stigma.
Once her medication ran out, she lacked the resources and information to refill her prescription and lacked the knowledge as to what ailed her. While her brother had initially helped her, he had not fully disclosed her diagnosis. After two years, she became very sick again and her condition worsened; she lost her hearing and could not see well.
Life on HIV Treatment
In February 2022, an HIV case manager from MIHOSO International, a subgrantee of the USAID Strengthening the Care Continuum project, visited Gifty and talked to her about her health issues and HIV. Following the discussion, Gifty agreed to get tested for HIV.
She took Gifty to the hospital, had her tested, and confirmed her HIV diagnosis. Thanks to the care and counseling the HIV case manager had provided, Gifty accepted treatment right away.
Since starting the treatment, she feels better and healthier. People within her community eventually ceased spreading rumors about her helping to alleviate the stigma.
A close friend helped Gifty restart her trading at the local market to sell corn flour, tomatoes, garden eggs, onions, and pepper. But due to financial challenges, the business collapsed. She informed the MIHOSO team and they supported her with capital to revamp her business. She now sells more goods than before and people buy them without discrimination.
“I am now a happy person because I am healthy and have a good job,” Gifty said. “I don’t depend on anyone for my daily bread.”
The MIHOSO team additionally renewed her national health insurance card to access free health care.
“My community now sees me as one of their own. I give thanks to God for linking me to the MIHOSO and Care Continuum project team, especially Madame Christiana, the HIV case manager, for saving my life.”
Gifty is one of over 260 people brought back to care by the MIHOSO team in Ghana’s Ahafo Region between October 2021 and March 2023. The USAID Strengthening the Care Continuum project supports over 36,000 people living with HIV in the Western Region (over 22,000 people), Western North Region (over 8,000), and Ahafo Region (over 6,000). The project is designed to strengthen the capacity of the Government of Ghana and its partners to provide quality, comprehensive HIV services for people living with HIV in the three regions.
*For privacy reasons, her name has been changed.
