#PRIDEdayFriday: Juliana discovers positive impact of LGU actions

This #PRIDEdayFriday [June 30, 2023], we share the story of Juliana (not her real name), whose experience led to discovering the positive impact of the local government units’ action towards bringing awareness on the law and the rights of PLHIVs. 

Question: Share with us your story where you experienced stigma or discrimination.

"I heard about the free dental services from our LGU and one of the government employees referred me to a private clinic owned by one of the public dentists in our city. I was able to avail the dental service for free. After the session, I told the dentist that I am HIV positive with the hopes that they will keep this information confidential since they are medical professionals. However, I learned that the nearest health center in our barangay already knew about my HIV status even before I gave anyone consent to share my details. When I asked for free medicines in relation to the dental service I availed, I received not just the medicines needed for my tooth but I also received vitamin C and was told that I need to strengthen my immune system.

"A few months later, I shared my HIV status and story to my friend and she told me that she already knew it long before I told her. She did not believe this at first but during our conversation, she had the information verified. I asked her where she got the information and she said that a work colleague mentioned this to her. Another concerning factor is, the person she is referring to is my cousin who works at a private clinic. Fast forward, I learned that my HIV status was also disclosed even to the Barangay health worker. Everyone points to the clinic and the dentist who gave me free dental services."

Question: What did you do and who are the people or organizations who journeyed with you during these trying times?

"TLF CARE program helped me in terms of knowing if there are violations in my rights as a PLHIV. I learned how to bring this into light even when at times, I just wanted to just give up knowing that I will be in conflict with a public official but the TLF CARE Partner helped me and enlightened me that every person’s rights is worth the fight."

Question: Why is it important for the health workers and the LGUs to be aware of R.A. [Republic Act] 11166?

"Despite knowing that they have violated my rights, I did not push through with the case because the Dentist admitted that she was wrong and formally apologized to me. This is because she learned about the RA 11166 through the Information session conducted by our LGU together with TLF SHARE. This helped open the minds of government employees including the dentist and make them more aware of what they need to do in order to provide the services to their constituents."