Kogi State, Nigeria - There is no denying that HIV is a terrible illness with far-reaching implications capable of destroying the fabric of human lives in communities across Nigeria. Almost more devastating than the considerable physical pain suffered by the patient, is the emotional anguish caused by the stigma and the financial stress associated with the disease and its treatment. The story of Aina Babalola provides a real-time example of this all-too-common scenario.
In 2002, 19-year old Aina, with the consent of her extended family, moved in with her fiancé, Segun, pending the celebration of their marriage. The couple moved from their rural hometown in Kogi state to Lagos in 2006 with the hopes of a better future. All was going according to plan as the couple made gradual progress towards achieving their dreams; Segun got a job teaching at a private school in Lagos while Aina continued her work as a trained hairdresser in the Ikeja area of Lagos. A short time later, Aina discovered she was pregnant.
Tragedy struck in January 2008 when then four-month pregnant Aina got sick with chronic diarrhea. As her condition worsened, Aina sought treatment at several hospitals, depleting the couple’s meager financial resources though finding no cure. Still sick after three months, Aina returned home with Segun to their village in Kogi state.
Aina sought treatment at General Hospital Kabba—a PEPFAR funded and MSH-supported Comprehensive Care and Treatment Site. Her case came to the attention of Dr. Temitope Ewegbemi, whose repeated efforts to help Aina recover went far beyond standard practice. It was Dr. Ewegbemi who introduced MSH staff to Aina during one of their periodic supervisory visits in the hopes that more attention and support would be given to her case.
After staying with Aina for three weeks, Segun had to return to Lagos as the little money he had brought with him to Kogi was gone. Upon his return, he discovered that he had lost his job at the private school as a result of his absence. Back in Kogi, family members were increasingly less able to care for and support Aina in her treatment.
At this point, the 7-month pregnant Aina was bed-ridden and incontinent. She tested positive for HIV and seemed doubtful she would survive. She had to be cleaned up after every episode as she was physically unable to clean herself up. The effort that it entailed to care for Aina began to put a strain on the already stretched staff of the General Hospital Kabba who, apart from providing first-rate medical services to their patient, also gave Aina money and contributed to her financial stability.
Aina was placed on Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) drugs, provided free of charge to the hospital by PEPFAR through MSH. As a result of the efficacy of the drugs and the quality of care she received, Aina was able to deliver her baby girl on the 28th of May 2008, two months after she was admitted to the hospital. Sadly, two days after birth of Aina’s Daughter, Dr. Temitope Ewegbemi passed away after a brief illness. His death was shattering for the young mother, as the man who had been her benefactor was no more. Aina named her newborn Temitope after the departed doctor in honor of his kind work and dedication.
Segun was only able to make a brief visit to see his wife and new child, leaving them 1,500 Naira (less than $13 US) towards their upkeep. Life after the birth of Baby Temitope and their discharge from the hospital was hard on Aina. With no money, she had to live with her mother-in-law in a one-room apartment, a situation that became impossible for both women. Aina was soon asked to leave.
Alone and caring for a newborn child, Aina contacted the MSH staff in Kogi State who quickly mobilized community support and found her housing. With her health improved and a stable place to live, Aina resumed her hair dressing business. She now runs her business out of her home and with the money she makes is able to take care of herself and little Temitope.
As a result of MSH’s advocacy, the Kogi State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Fred Achem, has promised to link Aina with the state Social Welfare Committee as well as with a local government project which may be able to provide her with more support. Although their lives are still far from perfect, Aina and Temitope have been given a new sense of hope and the chance of a healthy future as a family. They have benefited from the generosity of a group of strangers—the kind doctor who went beyond what was expected of him, nurses who not only provided quality care as professionals but support as peers, and MSH staff who mobilized a community support network.
Aina has begun talking to her clients about the threat of HIV/AIDS, though she has not yet disclosed her status for fear of a negative reaction. In the months to come, Aina is now in a position to reach out to many other persons in the community and offer preventive counseling and referral services. Although the degree of care and special attention Aina received is beyond typical, she is only one of the tens of thousands of people that have benefited, either through education, or direct care, from the AIDS Care & Treatment Project of MSH.
