‘Get tested, know your HIV status’

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Temo Sasau (right) with his family and NFP member of Parliament Lenora Qereqeretabua. Picture: SERAFINA SILAITOGA

Get tested and know your HIV status. These are the words of Labasa resident Temo Sasau, who has lived with the illness for the past 16 years.

He encouraged people to get tested for HIV following the recent announcement that 151 positive cases were recorded last year, “I call each and everyone of you to get to know your status,” he said.

“Have a HIV test and make use of the services with the Ministry of Health.

“Once you get your results, and if it is positive, they will be by your side, to ensure that you get all the information you need to continue living with the virus.

“If your test is positive, there is treatment available that aims to boost your immune system and suppress the virus.”

Mr Sasau said if one adheres to the drugs, there was a high possibility the virus would not be transmitted to anyone else.

He believes those living with the disease should always hold their heads up high because it was not the end of their world.

“I have been living with HIV for over 16 years. In the early days of my diagnosis, it was not an easy journey and I don’t want to talk more about what I went through with my family, my colleagues and even my employment.

“I faced discrimination from all walks of life, I don’t want to go through the detail because through much awareness I am who I am now – a proud Sasau who hails from Nagasauva, Tawake, Cakaudrove, and I am proud of who I am and all that I went through is history.

“Wherever I go, it does not matter what I face because when all is done, I am back in the comfort of my home where I have a wife and son and I am proud of that.”

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