HIV/AIDS in Namibia

Here in Namibia, 1 in 7 people are infected with HIV/AIDs. The signs of HIV/AIDS are not loud and overt, but rather seem to lurk just beneath the surface. I have only been here for 9 weeks, 8 of which have been in training and quite removed from the “real life” of Namibia. Now, having been at site for a little over one week, the signs of HIV/AIDS are beginning to appear. They tap you on the shoulder at unexpected moments:

- A colleague had not been feeling well. I asked her if she had a headache. She said, “No dear, I will tell you what is wrong sometime. But not today.” I hope that I am wrong, but I fear for the worst.

- A friend tells me that, even though she is married, she gets tested for HIV every 3-6 months because she feels that you “can’t trust anyone.”

- At a friend’s house, her friend comes over to cook cornmeal porridge outside. When I asked her why, she said that he is HIV positive and struggling very much. He often comes to her house to cook food if he doesn’t have anything. The harsh antiretroviral (ARV) drugs that are used to treat HIV/AIDS patients are very effective in prolonging one’s life, but make one very sick and weak, and demand a diet rich in nutrients and a high level of self-care.

- In my village, one of the youth leaders plans to host a type of “soup kitchen” with nutrient-rich foods for HIV/AIDS victims in the afternoons. She will plant a large garden and serve vegetables at the kitchen to help those on ARVs cope with the harsh side-effects of the drugs.

- A classroom poster on the walls of many Namibian classrooms feature president Hifikepunye Pohamba pleading, “ALL Namibians must join together to fight HIV/AIDS”

Condoms and most forms of birth control are free here, as are ARVs, but despite birth-control being free, teenage pregnancy and rates of new HIV infections remain high. Sadly, what makes HIV/AIDS even more difficult is the social stigma faced by many. Not only must they struggle with the physical symptoms and treatment, and their own mortality, they must face prejudice and alienation from their friends and family. This does seem to be improving, but nonetheless, one can only imagine what a daily struggle this would be. It is a grim reality, but one that must be faced head-on. Shifting cultural and social norms, strong policy around prevention of new cases and care for existing cases, and a compassionate, human-rights centered approach will be necessary to combat this sinister disease.