Omo…
E-Solutions Whatsapp status was a show that I needed to watch the past few weeks. E-Solutions jumped on the ‘We listen, we don’t judge’ challenge and although we had quite a number of entries. One particular entry caught the attention of viewers.
In her words “I contracted HIV here in Russia and I’m proud to say I have given it to 4 Moscow big boys. I trusted my cheating boyfriend and what I have to show for it is this illness; well, I’m not done sharing it yet.”
This ignited a lot of reaction from people, some people sincerely concerned for themselves, some angry that she had this mentality, and others gave advice on how her condition can be managed.
On this platform, we mostly talk about finances, lifestyle and current trends we believe viewers should be aware of. But. we must understand that health is a very important aspect of life, if not the most important. Health is wealth indeed, while you are chasing the bag and ‘enjoying life’, please prioritise your health.
The girl’s statement above ignited negative reactions from certain people and we all know why. But my brother, my sister, this life is not more than one. I agree that the mentality that this girl has and even her actions are not right but we all still remain custodians of our own bodies and health. We cannot hold anyone accountable for the life they choose to live but use your head.
You have the responsibility to screen your relationships and double check the people you hang out with. People might be smiling and joyful on the outside but on the inside it is the exact opposite and unfortunately, you cannot detect these things from their actions.
We’ll take on the role of a medical advisor today and give you a few points, you will thank us later:
- Know Your Status: Regular testing is key. Knowing your own HIV status and that of your partners can help you make informed decisions about your sexual health.
- Practice Safe Sex: Always use condoms. They are effective barriers that significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Don’t easily trust people you just met too- open your eyes.
- Limit Number of Sexual Partners: Don’t make yourself a community commodity aunty and uncle. The more partners you have, the higher your risk of exposure. Be selective in choosing.
- Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): If you’re at high risk for HIV, talk to a doctor about PrEP. This medication can significantly reduce your chances of contracting the virus.
- Regular Health Check-ups: We know when most Africans hear about check-ups, they don’t pay so much attention to it but regular visits to the doctor can actually help monitor your health and catch any potential issues early on.
Now, back to the conversation at hand. While it’s easy to point fingers and judge someone for their choices (this doesn’t mean we support what she is doing though). We must remember that life is complex, and everyone’s journey is different.
The aunty’s statement may have sparked outrage, but it also highlights a critical need for education and empathy in discussions surrounding health and relationships. To our dear sister, there are a lot of new interventions with respect to antiretroviral treatments for HIV.
Lashing out for vengeance or what-not is not the ultimate answer, rather taking good care of your mental health and yourself is priority.
We live in a world where there is stigma over those living with HIV, making it even more vital for people to support rather than shame people with this status.
Las las like we said earlier, we are the custodians of our bodies and our choices shape our futures. Let’s strive for a balance between living life fully and taking care of ourselves. Remember, health is wealth, and investing in it is the best decision you can make for yourself and those around you. Stay safe, stay informed, and always choose to do what is right for your body.
I know this topic might be a hard pill to swallow, but you must swallow am 🙂
Remain Jiggy. As for E-Solutions, we remain your number 1- argue with your keyboard.