Dear
Pozzie,
Hindi
ko alam kung saan ko sisimulan ang sulat kong ito ngunit gulong gulo ang isip
ko ngayon at hindi ako makatulog kung anong mangyayari sa akin. Wala akong
matakbuhan para sabihin ang problema ko. Gusto kung umiyak pero hindi ko magawa
kasi gusto kong maging matatag. Ang hirap ng sitwasyong andito ka sa abroad.
28
years old na po ako and have been working here in UAE for 3 years now at ako po
ang inaasahan ng mga tumatanda kong mga magulang at akong inaasahan ng aking
pamilya na magtataguyod sa kanilang lahat. June 13, 2013 ng nagmedical ako for
my visa renewal then after 3 days, tinawagan ako ng medical center kasi daw
irerepeat for confirmatory yung blood sample ko at sabi ng Nurse confirmatory
for HIV.
Nung
sinabi nya sa akin na "HIV" hindi ko po alam anong gagawin ko. Minsan
nakatulala ako at iniisip anong mangyayari sa buhay ko, pamilya ko at sa mga
pangarap ko kung confirmed positive HIV patient ako. Isa po akong Nurse at
naghihintay na sana ng interview ko para sa Canada. Iniisip ko kung saan ko
sisimulan or sisimulan ko pa ba ang buhay ko.
Kung
nagkataon na positive ako, tiyak na papauwiin ako sa Pilipinas at hindi ko alam
kung anong mangyayari sa akin sa Pilipinas.
Sa
Thursday, June 20, 2013 ko malalaman ang resulta ng confirmatory test ko. Ano
po kaya ang chances na magpositive ako sa confirmatory test? Taga Cebu po ako,
at ano ang gagawin ko?
Salamat
po.
XXX
Dear
Pozzie,
I
don’t know where to begin my letter but mind is so confused now and I can’t
sleep because of the thought of what may happen to me. I don’t know anybody to
run to to tell my problem. I want to cry but I can’t because I want to be
strong. My situation is hard especially when you are here working abroad.
I
am 28 years old and have been working here in UAE for 3 years now and I am the
only one with whom my parents and my family are relying on when it comes to
finances. Last june 13, 2013 when I had my medical for my VISA renewal then
after 3 days, the medical center called me because they want to repeat the
testing of the blood sample for confirmatory which the nurse said an HIV
confirmatory test.
When
she said “HIV”, I didn’t know what to do. Sometimes I have a blank stare and
think of all the things that might happen, to my life, my family and my dreams
if in case I get confirmed as an HIV patient. I am a nurse and am waiting for
my interview for Canada. I was thinking of where to start or do I need to start
my life there.
If
they determine that I am positive, for sure they will send me home to the
Philippines and I don’t know what will happen to me there.
This
Thursday, June 20, 2013 I will finally know the result of the confirmatory
test. I am from Cebu. What should I do?
Thank
you.
XXX
POZZIEPINOY'S RESPONSE
Hi XXX.
Thank you for your email. Thank you for sharing your story.
I apologize for not replying to your email fast as I had been busy for the last 2 weeks. I don't know if you were able to seek assistance from my friends here. I know you know by now the result of your confirmatory and I don't know the events that has happened to you since you got the result. However, I would still try to give you advice, in case nothing has happened there yet.
It is a fact that people with HIV (PLHIV) are being deported from the middle east. Most cases, the authorities there do this after the medical test that is required by their government either for their renewal of work documents or VISA. Not to scare everyone, but it is true that PLHIV's get accosted from their homes or work place without even having the chance to pack their things. I have received a lot of emails from my readers of how the police/ or medical team accost the PLHIV's directly to the airport and detain them until the next available flight to the Philippines has been arranged.
I believe before you were granted your working VISA, you were already aware of this strict regulation, right?
Now let us focus on the things that you can do.
1. If in case, your result turns out to be positive, go to the Philippine Embassy fast and seek refuge. They can protect you there while you are still thinking of what to do. They can also give you advice on what your next steps will be.
2. If the embassy officials say that you need to pack your stuff and go home, then that is the best thing that you need to do. Try calling your friends and help you pack your stuff so you can bring everything back to the Philippines.
3. When you are back here, then you are "safe". Call me at 09162862066 when you get a chance so I can give you advice on what you need to do next.
It is best to act and think rationale. It is easy to be distracted by negative thoughts which will keep you off track. For now just focus on the things that you need to do. There is always tomorrow to look forward to and trust me, it is still full of hope and happiness even if you turn out to be a PLHIV.
I hope I was able to answer your
concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other concerns.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy
"WE
ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is
alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines,
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