Mama Ijeoma’s Silent Struggle: How Stigma Kept Her from ARV Treatment
Every afternoon, the aroma of roasted yam and plantain draws a small crowd to Mama Ijeoma’s bole stand. She is known for her cheerful service and the same care she gave her three children. But a quiet silence began where her voice once rang—at the health center. Weeks passed without her regular antiretroviral refill. What looked like a scheduling mix-up ran deeper. When a community health worker visited her home, Mama Ijeoma confessed: she feared being recognised. Her customers might stop coming if they saw her at the open clinic. She turned to private pharmacies, but they were costly and inconsistent. Finally, she was offered two options: early morning pickups or discreet refills through a private refill program. She chose the discreet option and has not missed a dose since. Mama Ijeoma’s story reminds us that behind missed appointments are not forgetfulness, but fear and shame. How many others stay away from care for the same reasons?
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