The [him] moderator is delighted that Ni Ni Myint carries on the Myanmar Times tradition of reporting first hand about HIV. He has two comments:

Why the euphemism "I let things get out of hand."? HIV is spread through unprotected insertive sex and nonsterile injecting equipment. We can all be more specific when we talk about it. Unless young people know what he did they cannot protect themselves.

And the fact that a sick person knows the exact names of all the resource extraction companies that paid for renovation at Waibagi isn't so impressive to [him]. Ko Maung Maung was well briefed by hospital authorities before the interview was allowed.

[him] moderator

******************************

HIV patient recounts life with sadness and regret
Ni Ni Myint

KO Maung Maung made a mistake. Just once. And he admits it. Now he wants young people to avoid making the same mistake. He tells his story with sad eyes and with regret in his voice.

“I admit I made a mistake, it was just once. I could not believe myself.” He tried to hide his sadness as he spoke, but could not.

Ko Maung Maung looked out of the window, avoiding my eyes, as if embarrassed by the sympathy. I couldn’t decide whether he was losing his mind or was just downhearted.

I met Ko Maung Maung at the North Okkalapa Infectious Diseases Hospital (War Bar Gi) at the invitation of a mutual friend. As a reporter, I believed that I should learn more about the hospital, so I immediately accepted his invitation. I was nervous. It was the first time I’d met an HIV-positive man.

The time was 10am. We took a taxi to the hospital. We walked past outpatients arriving to pick up their medicine and met with the doctors. All the time I was thinking: “Can I treat him as a normal man?” As we approached Ko Maung Maung’s bed, I could hear my heart pounding.

But I did it. I acted normal and so did he. During our conversation he recounted his life to us, sometimes with a smile, sometimes with regret. Looking at his face, I felt so sorry and couldn’t find words to encourage him.

I saw many patients who need others’ help for all their daily personal needs.

When Ko Maung Maung heard I was a journalist, he wanted to share his experience through my newspaper. “Please write about me in your paper. I don’t want other young people make mistakes like mine,” he said.

It happened when one of his friends returned from abroad. “Before he went back, we and other friends celebrated his farewell. I let things get out of hand,” he said sadly.

So far, Ko Maung Maung is not showing any symptoms. If I saw him outside I would take him for a healthy person.

Ko Maung Maung is very well informed. There is a pile of books beside his bed.

“I’m one of 33 million people who are living with HIV around the world, according to the statistics of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS),” he said. When he said that I felt shame as a reporter because I didn’t know the statistics.

His daily life passes with a few activities – reading, meditating and waiting for the nurse to bring medicine.

Ko Maung Maung and his fellow patients eagerly welcome visitors. Although he tries to pass the time, sometimes he feels lonely and depressed.

“We all are so happy when people bring donations of cash or food or bedding,” he smiled. “Did you see the renovation of the hospital? This renovation was provided by Shwe Project of Daewoo International Corporation, ONGC Videsh Limited, Gail (India) Limited, Korea Gas Corporation and Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise,” he said. I was impressed that he knew all the names.

At that time, Ko Maung Maung’s sister came into the room and offered us coffee. Though we declined, the cups appeared. I know you can’t get infected with HIV by drinking from a patient’s cup. But at that moment, I felt a certain nervousness, reluctance. “I shouldn’t discriminate,” I thought. I took the cup.

“I know if we take the medicine and follow the doctors’ advice, we can live at least 16 years more. But not all HIV-positive people can take the medicine. One of the doctors told me,” Ko Maung Maung said.

When the time came to say goodbye he looked disappointed but said nothing.

More than 25 million AIDS victims have died since 1981. In 1990 eight million people were living with HIV/AIDS. The number today is more than 33 million. I am shocked at this increasing rate.

Going home, I thought: Should I pray for a cure for AIDS? Or should I pray for people to act more morally? I cannot forget Ko Maung Maung’s one mistake.

http://www.mmtimes.com/no437/n013.htm