Access and adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment saving lives in Zimbabwe

My name is Mthulisi Ndlovu. I am from Matabeleland South, Insiza district, Zimbabwe.

In 2010 there was a group of people from the National AIDS Council who came to my community and encouraged people to get tested for HIV. I decided to get tested one of the days during their community outreach programme and I was diagnosed as an HIV positive case. 

When I decided to get tested, I was not ill at all – I was just not aware of my HIV status. Afterwards, I received counselling and was initiated on ART.

“I am encouraging all HIV positive people to adhere to ART and those who are not aware of their HIV statuses to get tested so that if they are found to be positive, they can be initiated on ART whilst their conditions are still manageable.”

I have been on ART for the past 11 years and I have been taking my medication according to the guidelines that I was given at the clinic. I have also been very serious in going for my routine viral load testing whenever I am due.

I have remained fit and strong such that no one can tell that I am HIV positive. I do all my work and duties as a man without any challenges.

I am therefore encouraging all HIV positive people to adhere to ART and those who are not aware of their HIV status to get tested so that if they are found to be positive, they can be initiated on ART whilst their conditions are still manageable.

I believe that HIV is a condition that just needs to be carefully managed and requires a very positive mindset. These are some of the personal beliefs and motivations I continue to impart to others in my role as a Community HIV/ AIDS Support Agent (CHASA) and in the Zimbabwe National Network for People Living with HIV (ZNNP+).

Note: This story may have been edited for clarity and shortened for fit on the UHC2030 webpage.

Category: Civil society and communities