Assalamualaikum readers,
Ummie menulis lagi. Sekadar menjalankan amanah AHP.
Di bawah ini adalah teks lengkap pembentangan beliau di ‘Islam and HIV/AIDS International Conference 2012’ pagi tadi. Selain daripada teks yang Ummie lampirkan di sini, AHP juga turut ada menyampaikan beberapa points tambahan yang penting secara spontan. In shaa Allah, video pembentangan beliau akan Ummie upload dalam sedikit masa lagi.
KERTAS PEMBENTANGAN PERSIDANGAN ISLAM DAN HIV/AIDS 2012
Pengenalan
Saya didiagnos sebagai PLHIV secara rasminya pada 28 Disember 2010. Puncanya tidak perlu saya nyatakan untuk mengelakkan polemik dan diskriminasi. Saya tidak selesa dengan sikap judgmental begitu.
Fokus utama perbincangan kita ialah STRATEGY TO PREVENT HIV/AIDS IN MALAYSIA, tetapi untuk Sharing Experience: PLHIV Comunity dan sebagai Presiden kepada salah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib komuniti, saya lebih selesa bercakap atas kapasiti tersebut.
Terlebih dahulu, marilah kita review kembali persoalan yang bakal saya utarakan supaya kita tidak tersasar dari landasan perkongsian ilmu iaitu:
Terdapat 6 golongan yang terdedah kepada jangkitan HIV dan menerima kesan akibat jangkitan HIV:
1. Pengamal aktiviti berisiko.
2. Bekas pengamal aktiviti berisiko.
3. Pasangan kepada 1 & 2.
4. Anak kepada 1 & 2.
5. Pesakit yang menerima transfusi darah atau menjalani pemindahan organ yang tercemar.
6. Ahli keluarga kepada kesemuanya (affected people).
Berdasarkan kategori-kategori tersebut, peranan kita terhadap mereka ialah:
- Wajib didekati dan dibimbing untuk mengubah cara hidup bagi mengelakkan mereka berterusan dalam maksiat dan bahaya penularan jangkitan.
- Perlu dihormati kerana telah insaf daripada kekhilafan (taubat nasuha).
- Mangsa keadaan.
- Mangsa keadaan.
- Mangsa keadaan.
- Mangsa keadaan.
Nota:
Adalah jelas bahawa sesiapa sahaja boleh menjadi mangsa HIV. Kesemua mereka melalui fasa-fasa kesedihan (Grief Reaction) dan mengalami kesan rawatan (Treatment Fatigue).
Kesemuanya berhak mendapat:
- Rawatan.
- Bimbingan dan kaunseling.
- Sokongan dan bantuan.
Rawatan dan Cabaran
Apa pun punca jangkitan, tekanan utama PLHIV adalah stigma kerana HIV masih dikaitkan dengan isu moral dan agama. Perkara ini menenggelamkan isu-isu lain yang lebih penting akibat salah faham.
Salah faham tersebut berpunca daripada pemikiran PLHIV sendiri atau dari luar. Maka timbullah diskriminasi, paranoia dan judgmental yang sinonim dikaitkan dengan PLHIV.
Seterusnya timbullah permasalahan akidah, berleluasanya fitnah, putusnya silaturrahim, terjadinya penganiayaan, dan sebagainya. Perbuatan-perbuatan tersebut juga merupakan sebahagian daripada dosa-dosa besar. Akhirnya kita banyak membazirkan masa, tenaga dan wang ringgit (kos).
Perkongsian Pengalaman Perjuangan Positive Warrior Sebagai Sebuah NGO Membantu Mencegah Penularan Virus dan Khidmat Advokasi Komuniti
Sebagai sebuah NGO yang menyokong komuniti tanpa mengira latar belakang punca jangkitan, kami ingin berkongsi beberapa pandangan untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan menyekat penularan HIV dan advokasi.
Kata kuncinya ialah: DARIPADA PLHIV UNTUK MASYARAKAT.
Maksudnya PLHIV sendiri adalah sumber manusia yang tepat untuk mencegah penularan HIV.
Sebahagian daripadanya telah dilaksanakan melalui pelbagai Kementerian, Jabatan, Majlis, dan pertubuhan sedia ada dan sebahagiannya lagi mungkin boleh diperhalusi dan dikemaskinikan.
Kami kongsikan tiga (3) perancangan kami untuk dilaksanakan iaitu:
Pertama:
Mewujudkan Ruang SELESA Dan SELAMAT Dalam Suasana Kekeluargaan Dan Islamik Secara Berhikmah.
HIV sering dikaitkan dengan musibah bala’ dan PLHIV disalahtafsirkan sebagai golongan yang kurang moral dan penghayatan agama. Lantaran itu, PLHIV sering merasa takut untuk berkongsi tekanan. Mereka tercari-cari kumpulan sokongan yang sesuai dengan jiwa mereka.
Akibatnya sering berlaku pengabaian rawatan awal, berterusan menularkan jangkitan, dan bertambahnya bebanan dan penganiayaan terhadap keluarga.
Justeru, kami mengambil kesempatan untuk menarik mereka ke arah pendekatan yang telah dinyatakan tadi.
Buat permulaan, kami mewujudkan satu medan asas melalui blog Aku HIV Positif (http://akuhivpositif.blogspot.com/) dan Facebook Positive Warrior Support Group @ PWSG (Secret Group) serta melalui beberapa aktiviti santai seperti pertemuan keluarga sesama komuniti.
Melalui pengalaman kami, terbukti sangat ramai yang inginkan sokongan dengan pendekatan yang diperjuangkan. Ternyata PLHIV boleh menerima teguran dengan cara yang berhikmah. Don’t just tell them. Show them.
Dengan keahlian yang sentiasa bertambah dan mempunyai jalinan rangkaian dengan NGO lain yang mempunyai aspirasi yang sama, kami yakin dapat menarik lebih ramai keahlian menyertai perjuangan kami dengan mudah.
Dengan cara ini, setidak-tidaknya PLHIV dibimbing bahawa mencegah penularan dan merawat HIV bukan sekadar melalui kaedah Harm Reduction semata-mata. Pengisian rohani dapat diterapkan secara beransur-ansur.
Melalui ruang SELESA dan SELAMAT ini kita dapati PLHIV mempunyai begitu banyak kekuatan dan keistimewaan yang berpotensi dieksploitasi untuk menjalankan kempen pencegahan HIV.
Untuk makluman, kami telah pun mendapat respon yang sangat positif dan menjalin beberapa kerjasama dengan pihak MAC, JAKIM, dan Yayasan Ihtimam. Program terakhir ialah Positive Warriors: 2012 Hilarious Fun and Challenge Camp pada 12-14 Oktober yang lalu di Nur Lembah Pangsun Resort yang ditaja oleh Yayasan Ihtimam.
Penasihat NGO kami adalah Dr. Iskandar Firzada bin Osman yang merupakan Doktor Pakar Perubatan Keluarga dari Klinik Kesihatan Jaya Gading, Kuantan.
Kedua:
Training Of Trainer (TOT)
Training Of Trainer (TOT) Untuk Komuniti
Komuniti lebih mempercayai komuniti dalam menguruskan sokongan dan bimbingan berbanding non-PLHIV.
Kami yakin bahawa pendekatan TOT perlu dilaksanakan kerana ianya jauh lebih berkesan. Melalui NGO ini, objektif kami ialah untuk melatih seberapa ramai komuniti yang berkelayakan, mempunyai kefahaman Islam yang baik, dan berkelulusan tinggi dalam bidang agama untuk membantu komuniti menjalani hidup sihat dan diredhai Allah.
Walau bagaimanapun, bimbingan dan kerjasama profesional dengan pihak MAC, JAKIM, dan Yayasan Ihtimam serta lain-lain NGO sangat-sangat diperlukan. Potensi melaksanakannya sangat jelas dan bakal memberikan impak yang besar kepada komuniti dalam merealisasikan hasrat kerajaan mencegah penularan HIV.
Training Of Trainer (TOT) Untuk Mendekati Golongan Agamawan
Golongan agamawan sangat berperanan menyebarkan info yang tepat untuk menyekat penularan virus, membimbing PLHIV dan golongan yang menerima impak melalui kekuatan rohani, dan menentang salah faham tentang HIV serta isu-isu berkaitan.
Jika selama ini golongan agamawan mendapat info daripada non-PLHIV, kini sampailah ketikanya kami menawarkan diri berkongsi pengalaman dengan penuh rasa rendah hati mendekati golongan agamawan.
Antara sebahagian daripada hasrat kami adalah turun padang mendekati golongan agamawan. Perancangan terkini ialah Tour Bermotorsikal 1 Semenanjung menziarahi Jabatan Agama Islam, masjid-masjid tertentu yang sudi untuk berkongsi pengalaman dalam suasana harmoni dan mahabbah.
Kami dengan rendah hati menawarkan diri untuk bekerjasama dan yakin pihak JAKIM, MAC, dan Yayasan Ihtimam Malaysia sentiasa sedia merealisasikannya.
Selepas projek rintis ini, diharapkan tiada lagi isu remeh-temeh dibangkitkan seperti prosedur pengurusan jenazah, isu pemulauan terhadap anggota keluarga, dan pengasingan tanah kubur PLHIV. Sikap negatif tersebut hanya menyemarakkan salah faham tentang cara menyekat penularan virus, bahkan menimbulkan fitnah sehingga dieksploitasi oleh golongan opportunist.
Jika hasrat murni ini dapat dilaksanakan, kami percaya akan lahir lebih ramai Positive Warriors yang sudi tampil berkongsi pengalaman.
Ketiga:
Mengeksploitasi Penggunaan IT Dan Media
Media Alternatif (Non-Traditional Media)
Seiring dengan perubahan zaman, kita berada di alaf IT. Penggunaan media alternatif seperti blog, Facebook, Twitter, laman web, dan sebagainya terlalu pantas mengambil peranan media tradisional. Melalui media alternatif, peluang menyampaikan info yang tepat kepada golongan sasaran adalah lebih pantas dan efektif.
Saya sendiri bermula di blog dan tanpa disedari, blog tersebut memberi impak yang sangat besar kepada pencegahan penularan virus. Dalam tempoh belum pun 2 tahun, pengunjungnya hampir mencecah sejuta orang.
Daripada blog tersebut terbinanya rangkaian blog-blog komuniti yang mempunyai inspirasi yang sama. Sekurang-kurangnya bagi menyaingi blog-blog, Facebook dan Twitter yang dibina untuk tujuan sebaliknya.
Ramai di kalangan PLHIV adalah sangat berkemahiran dalam bidang IT. Menjadi hasrat kami menggalakkan mereka berkongsi kemahiran tersebut dengan PLHIV yang mempunyai kemahiran menulis.
Kami berharap pihak MAC, JAKIM, dan pihak-pihak yang terlibat secara langsung mengambil kesempatan ini untuk membantu kami melatih dan memantau PLHIV berkongsi pengalaman secara positif.
Penulisan dari dalam jiwa lebih memberi impak berbanding penulisan akademik semata-mata. Bahkan ianya juga satu bentuk terapi yang sangat berkesan.
Penerbitan Video, Teater, Drama Dan Perkongsian Pengalaman Sebenar PLHIV Secara Positif
Melalui beberapa usaha yang telah dijalankan secara profesional oleh pihak MAC, kami mendapat inspirasi bahawa PLHIV sendiri lebih berkesan menyampaikan info yang tepat mengenai HIV.
Perkongsian pengalaman secara negatif adalah tidak perlu. Bukan semua ujian hidup related dengan HIV.
Melalui inspirasi tersebut dengan sokongan semua pihak, kami yakin dapat mendorong lebih ramai PLHIV tampil secara terbuka berkongsi pengalaman. Video, buku, teater, dan drama yang akan diterbitkan sendiri oleh PLHIV, yang sudah tentu lebih faham tentang HIV akan dikeluarkan secara beransur-ansur.
Dalam masa terdekat, sebuah manuskrip asas mengenai pengalaman hidup saya sebagai seorang PLHIV telah disiapkan. Ianya pada peringkat semakan oleh pihak MAC dan Dr. Iskandar Firzada bin Osman. Tajuknya: AKU HIV POSITIF.
Buku ini diyakini mampu menjadi sumber insiprasi kepada PLHIV yang baru didiagnos dan memberikan kefahaman yang tepat secara santai tentang HIV dan cara-cara pencegahan kepada anggota masyarakat, khususnya umat Islam. Rahsia utama kekuatan kami adalah dengan menjaga hubungan dengan Allah dan hubungan dengan manusia di samping merujuk sumber maklumat yang sahih.
Dengan bantuan profesional, ianya boleh dijadikan kajian dan rujukan oleh golongan agamawan untuk memahami suka-duka perjuangan kami bangkit berdiri seiring dengan insan lain. Ianya turut berpotensi dijadikan rujukan para pelajar Insitusi Pengajian Tinggi, sekolah-sekolah, dan masjid seluruh Negara.
Kami (Positive Warriors) yakin buku-buku dan video bermutu hasil perkongsian pengalaman yang dikongsi sendiri oleh PLHIV yang diedarkan secara meluas mampu membantu meningkatkan kesedaran masyarakat mencegah HIV.
Walau bagaimanapun media utama harus diberikan kredit kerana mula memuatkan berita mengenai HIV dengan lebih positif. Kami yakin ramai tokoh agamawan atau doktor Muslim yang mampu membicarakan isu HIV dengan baik diberi keutamaan membincangkan isu HIV dengan tepat di media utama.
Adalah diharapkan perjuangan ini terus mendapat sokongan dan bantuan dana untuk memastikan kelancaran perjuangan kami termasuk untuk membina sebuah Pejabat Pengurusan yang sekaligus berperanan sebagai Rumah Perlindungan sementara dan serbaguna untuk komuniti suatu ketika nanti.
Konklusi
Jika diperhalusi, mencegah HIV dan merawat PLHIV adalah sangat mudah. HIV adalah virus yang sangat lemah dan susah berjangkit. Terdapat pelbagai penyakit kronik lain yang jauh lebih bahaya dan sukar dikawal serta dirawat berbanding HIV.
Jelaslah bahawa tekanan sebenar yang dihadapi setiap PLHIV bukanlah disebabkan virus HIV, tetapi akibat salah faham. PLHIV mampu menjalani kehidupan seperti insan lain iaitu berkahwin, mendapatkan zuriat bebas HIV, menjadi ketua keluarga yang baik dan menjadi penyumbang kepada pembangunan dan ekonomi negara.
PLHIV sangat memerlukan sokongan golongan agamawan. Andaian bahawa PLHIV sebagai golongan yang menerima musibah bala’ adalah sangat tidak adil kerana musibah mungkin terjadi dalam pelbagai bentuk dan hikmah termasuk musibah kaffarah dan musibah ibtila’.
Menjadi tanggungjawab kita mendekati mereka dengan penuh kefahaman dan bersikap empati. Selain HIV, mereka lazimnya turut diuji dengan tekanan psikologi, penyakit rohani, dan mengalami tekanan rawatan (Treatment Fatigue).
Akhir kata, selain berkongsi pengalaman untuk mencegah penularan HIV ini, saya merayu agar kita berganding bahu memperbaiki kualiti perkhidmatan dan menghentikan diskriminasi terhadap PLHIV seperti:
- Peluang mendapat kualiti perkhidmatan rawatan dan sokongan sama seperti pesakit kronik lain termasuk di kawasan pedalaman.
- Menghapuskan 100% kekeliruan dan kebocoran maklumat oleh segelintir kakitangan Kementerian Kesihatan terhadap PLHIV semasa mereka mendapatkan rawatan.
- Peluang bersaing secara adil untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan, memajukan kerjaya sedia ada atau meneruskan perkhidmatan.
- Memastikan manual standard seperti Manual Islam & HIV/AIDS yang telah diterbitkan oleh pihak JAKIM difahami sepenuhnya oleh semua golongan agamawan.
- Memastikan prosedur pengoperasian standard (SOP) pengurusan jenazah PLHIV difahami serta diikuti.
- Memastikan SOP urusan perkahwinan PLHIV dipermudahkan dan selaras di seluruh negara secara praktikalnya. Walau bagaimanapun, kita setuju untuk mencadangkan bahawa PLHIV yang bakal berkahwin akibat aktiviti berisiko turut menjalani pemeriksaan penyakit-penyakit jangkitan kelamin untuk menjaga kemaslahatan ummah selain kaunseling seksualiti jika perlu.
- Memberi hak kepada PLHIV yang disahkan berkelayakan daripada aspek kesihatan menunaikan ibadah haji.
- Peluang dan hak menerima bimbingan kemahiran mencari pendapatan termasuk menerima bantuan pinjaman atau zakat.
- Memberi hak sama rata kepada PLHIV mendapatkan bantuan ubat-ubatan secara percuma.
- Memberikan hak kepada PLHIV untuk mendapat perlindungan insurans sama seperti pesakit kronik lain.
- Hak bekalan ubat dan rawatan kepada PLHIV semasa ditahan di dalam lokap, tahanan reman, penjara dan Cure and Care Rehab Centre (CCRC).
- Golongan agama mendekati dan menziarahi PLHIV yang sedang dirawat di hospital terutamanya di kalangan saudara baru.
Alangkah indahnya jika isu ini sama-sama kita fahami, tangani, dan hindari. Tema hari AIDS sedunia Getting to Zero perlu dihadamkan dan diperhalusi oleh setiap anggota masyarakat.
Perjuangan ini adalah tuntutan dakwah dan fardhu kifayah.
Disediakan oleh:
MOHAMAD BIN WAHID
Presiden Positive Warriors
PAPER PRESENTATION: ISLAMIC AND HIC/AIDS 2012 CONFERENCE
Introduction
Officially on December, 28th 2010, I was diagnosed as PLHIV. To avoid polemic and discrimination, I do not have to explain how I got HIV. I do not feel comfortable with that judgemental attitude.
Our main focus of today’s discussion is about STRATEGY TO PREVENT HIV/AIDS IN MALAYSIA; however, for Experience Sharing: PLHIV Community and as a president of an NGO to fight the destiny of the community, I feel more comfortable to speak based on that capacity.
First of all, let us review the questions that I will be asking in order to avoid straying off from the knowledge sharing track:
There are six (6) types of people who are exposed to HIV infection and will be affected by the infection:
1. Those who involve in risky activities
2. Those who had involved in risky activities.
3. Spouses of 1 & 2
4. Offsprings (children) of 1 & 2
5. Patients who received blood transfusion or infected organ transplants.
6. Family members of affected people (from the all above)
Based on the categories mentioned above, our roles towards them are:
- get to know and guide them to change their life style in order to avoid them from continuously committing the sins and avoid them from the dangerous infection.
- to respect them because they have repented from committing the sins (taubah nasuhah).
- victims of situation.
- victims of situation.
- victims of situation.
- victims of situation.
Note:
It is clear that anyone could be the victim of HIV. Almost all of them went through grieving phases and experience the treatment fatigue.
All of them have right to get:
- Treatment.
- Counselling and guidance.
- Help and support.
Treatment and Challenge
No matter what is the root of the infection, PLHIV main stress is the stigma because HIV is still linked to the morale and religious issues.
Misunderstanding began from the thought of PLHIV themselves or from the outsiders. Therefore; discrimination, paranoia and synonym judgemental are linked with PLHIV.
Hence, aqidah problems occur, slander (fitnah) expands, termination of silaturrahim, abuse began and many more impact began. Those wrong doings are part of bad sins. Finally, we waste our time, energy and money (cost).
Experience Sharing Positive Warrior Combating as an NGO to Assist and Ban the Infection of the Virus and Community Advocacy Service.
As an NGO that supports the community without knowing the origin of the infection, we would like to share some opinions to enhance the effectiveness to ban/stop the HIV contagion and advocacy.
The keyword is: FROM PLHIV TO THE COMMUNITY
It means that PLHIV is the right/exact human resource to ban/stop the HIV contagion.
Part of the effort is done through few government ministries, departments and councils and existing associations. Some of the bodies mentioned may be updated and detailed out.
We would like to share our three (3) plans to be carried out:
First:
To provide COMFORTABLE and SAFE area/space full with Family-Like Environment and Islamic Way of Life.
HIV always being connected with calamity or disaster and PLHIV is being misunderstood as the group of people with less morale and lack of religious appreciation. Hence, PLHIV is always afraid to share the pressure. They are looking for support groups that are more suitable for their heart and soul.
The consequence of ignoring the early and continuous treatments cause the infection, and that would increase more burden and maltreatment towards their families.
Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to attract them to the approaches mentioned earlier.
As a beginning, we have created a foundation field through a blog named “Aku HIV Positif” meaning I am HIV Positive (http://akuhivpositif.blogspot.com/) and a Facebook Positive Warrior Support Group @ PWSG (Secret Group). We also have given assistance through relaxing activities such as meeting the families of same community.
Through our experience, it is proven that many of them need these kind of supports and approaches to struggle. Hence, PLHIV is also welcome comments represented in a very wise approach (cara berhikmah). “Don’t just tell them. Show them.”
With the increasing number of the members and the networks with other NGOs with the same aspiration, we believe we can attract more people to join us as members to help us to convey the understandings of HIV and to collectively fight the infection.
At least with this approach, PLHIV is guided to ban/stop and treat the HIV infection not only through Harm Reduction method, but also slowly through embedding into the soul (rohani).
Through these COMFORTABLE and SAFE space, PLHIV now has more strength and potential exploitable specialties to launch HIV prevention campaign.
For your information, we have received a very positive response and we are initiating some collaboration with MAC, JAKIM and Ihtimam Foundation. Our latest program was the Positive Warriors: 2012 Hilarious Fun and Challenge Camp which was held on October 12 to 14, 2012 at Nur Lembah Pangsun Resort and was sponsored by Ihtimam Foundation.
Dr. Iskandar Firzada bin Osman is our NGO advisor. He is a Family Medical Specialist from Jaya Gading Health Clinic, Kuantan, Pahang.
Second:
Training of Trainer (TOT)
Training of Trainer (TOT) for Community.
The community believe more in community support management and guidance compared to the non-PLHIV.
We believe that TOT approach must be performed because it is more effective. Through this NGO, our objective is to train as many qualified community, with good Islamic understanding and highly educated in Islamic religion to assist our community to live a healthy life with the blessing from Allah S.W.T.
No matter how, we really need the guidance and professional assistance from MAC, JAKIM, Ihtimam Foundation and also from other NGOs. It is obvious that the potential in implementing the intention of our government to prevent HIV infection is very clear and will give a strong impact to the community.
Training of Trainer (TOT) to Collaborate with Religious Group.
The religious group has an effective and important role in spreading correct information to prevent virus infection, guiding PLHIV and also helping the affected people/group through strength of the souls (rohani), and opposing the misunderstanding about HIV and related issues.
If all these while, the religious group only get the information from the non-PLHIV, but now it is the time for us with a very humble heart, we would like to offer ourselves to share our experience with them.
A part of our intention is to join the battle field to get to know the religious group. Our latest plan is Peninsular Motorbike Tour 1 (Bermotorsikal Menjelajah Semenanjung 1) to visit the Department of Islamic Religion, some mosques that are willing to share the experience in a harmonically and “mahabbah” environment.
From the bottom of our heart, we are offering ourselves to collaborate and we are confident that JAKIM, MAC and Ihtimam Foundation of Malaysia are always ready to assist us in realizing the good intention for the ummah.
After this pioneer project, we hope there would not be any trifle issues aroused such as funeral management procedure, boycotting the family members, and separating the grave of the PLHIV members. Such negative attitudes will only animating the misunderstanding about how to ban the infection of the virus, and will also rise slander and will be exploited by the opportunist.
If this pure intention can be implemented, we believe there will be more Positive Warriors who will come forward to share their experience.
Third:
Exploitation Using IT and Media
Alternative Media (Non-Traditional Media)
Parallel with the changes of the era, we are in the Information Technology (IT) millennium. The usage of alternative media such as blog, Facebook, Twitter, Website, and others are too fast and taken over the role of traditional media. Through the alternative media, the chance of delivering exact information to the target is more effective and efficient.
I started blogging without realizing it. My blog has given a tremendous impact to the prevention of infected virus. In the period of less than two (2) years, my visitors have almost touched one million visitors.
The community network blogs which has the same aspiration were built up from the blog. It is quite competitive compared to the other blogs such as Facebook and Twitter which were built with different intention.
Many among the PLHIV are very skilful in IT area. It is our intention to encourage them to share the skills that they possess with PLHIV members who have writing skills.
We hope MAC, JAKIM, and other parties that directly involve helping us to train and monitor PLHIV to share the experience in a positive way.
Writings that come deep from the heart and soul will give more impact compared to the academic writings. In fact it is a form of effective therapy.
Video Publication, Theatre, Drama and PLHIV Positively Sharing True Experience
Through some professional efforts made by MAC, we get an inspiration that PLHIV themselves can effectively deliver the exact information related to HIV.
Negative experience sharing is not needed. Not all life tests are related to HIV.
Based on the inspiration together with the supports from all parties, we are confident to get more PLHIV to come forward to share their experience. PLHIV who understand more about HIV will slowly publish video, books, theatre, and drama.
A basic manuscript about my life experience as a PLHIV will complete in a very near future. It is still in the editing phase by MAC and Dr. Iskandar Firzada bin Osman. The title is: I AM HIV POSITIVE.
I believe this book would be the source of inspiration to newly diagnosed PLHIV and will give a simple, better and exact understanding about HIV. The book will also give guidance to prevent the community especially the Moslems from HIV. The main secret of our strength is taking care the relationship with Allah S.W.T. (Hablumminallah) and relationship with the human beings (Hablumminannas). Besides that, we also refer to the genuine source of information.
With a professional help, the book can be a source of research and reference by the religious group to understand the tears and laughter of our effort to stand together with other human beings. The book will have the potential to be a reference for students in the higher learning institution, schools and masjids all over the country.
We (Positive Warriors) confident that our quality books and videos that are produced and widely distributed by compiling of the experience sharing by PLHIV will be able to help increase the community awareness to prevent HIV.
Anyway, we should give credit to the major medias because they have positively begun inserting news regarding HIV. We believe more famous religious people or Moslem doctors who are able to properly discuss about HIV issues in the major medias.
We hope this effort will continuously get the support and fund assistance to ensure the smoothness of our effort. That includes our effort to build a management office which will also act as the temporary Shelter Home and in future it will be a community centre.
Conclusion
If we really go into details, preventing HIV and curing PLHIV is actually so easy. Virus HIV is very weak and not easy to be infected. There are other various chronic diseases that are more dangerous and difficult to control and treat compared to HIV.
It is obvious that the actual pressure that every PLHIV is facing is not caused by the HIV virus itself, but the misunderstanding of the public about HIV. PLHIV can lead their life just like other normal people. They can get married, have children free of HIV, be a good leader in their family, and may also contribute to the economic development of the nation.
PLHIV really needs the support from the religious group. Let say PLHIV as the group that suffer the disaster, it is just not fair for them because the disaster comes in many forms and “hikmah” including “kaffarah” and “musibah ibtila’”.
It is our responsible to get near them with full understanding and empathy. Besides HIV, these people are also being tested with psychological pressure, soul sickness, and treatment fatigue.
Last but not least, besides experience sharing to present the infection of HIV, I would like to plea to all to collaboratively enhance the service quality and STOP the discrimination towards PLHIV as follows:
- Chances to get a quality treatment services and supports as same as other chronic patient, this including in the remote rural area.
- To 100% eliminate confusion and information leakage by small number of Ministry of Health staff during PLHIV visits to get the treatment.
- To give PLHIV the chance to fairly compete with the normal people in getting a job, career improvement or to continue getting any services.
- To ensure any standard manual as Islamic Manual & HIV/AIDS published by JAKIM is fully understood by all the religious groups.
- To ensure the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of PLHIV funeral management is understood and complied.
- To ensure the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of PLHIV marriage is simplified and practically standardized throughout the country. However, besides sexuality counselling; we have agreed to propose PLHIV couple (due to risky activities) that decided to get married must go through all the testing against all the diseases caused by sexual intercourse infection in order to ensure the harmonious community.
- To give right to any PLHIV whose health has been certified eligible and fit to go for Haj pilgrimage.
- Chance and right to get skill guidance to be able to earn money and to be the recipient of Zakat or Loan Assistance.
- To give fair right to PLHIV to receive free medication.
- To give right to PLHIV to be covered by insurance just like other chronic patients.
- To give right to PLHIV to get medication supplement and treatment while being detained in any lock-ups, remand and Cure and Care Rehab Centre (CCRC).
- The religious group is encouraged to visit and to get to know PLHIV while they are being treated in any hospitals especially to those who are new.
How beautiful the world would be if with “love and respect”, together we understand, fight and prevent it from happening. Today’s World AIDS’ Day theme is GETTING to ZERO must be digested and detailed out by everybody in the community.
This struggle and fight is a demand of dakwah and also a fardhu kifayah.
Prepared by:
MOHAMAD BIN WAHID
President of Positive Warriors
Translated by
Haniza Othman
Love & Respect Advocate
Published by: Ummie
Para pembaca boleh berkongsi pengalaman melalui FB AHP Positive Warriors Support Group (Secret Group). Untuk menyertai, sila hubungi:
Survivor: survivorpng@yahoo.com
Sokongan khusus kepada wanita: PEWAHIM
Untuk menyertai FB PEWAHIM (secret group)
Sila hubungi:
E-Mel: pewahim@gmail.com
No. Telefon: 019-259-5864 (Norlela) Pengasas
Alamat: Rumah WAHIDAYAH, No. 601, Jalan 1B/5, Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh,
47600 Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
Pertubuhan Amal Firdausi Kuala Lumpur (PAFI)
Sila hubungi:
E-Mel: hamlihamdan@yahoo.com
Alamat: No. 11A, Jalan 6B/1, 43650 Selangor.
FB PAFI: http://www.facebook.com/amalfirdausi (open group)
