SIBU’S FIGHT

SIBU’S FIGHT……………….By Narendra Shrestha

Thirty-five year-old Sibu Giri has been living with HIV for the last decade. He contracted the virus through the use of infected needles. People used to know him as a junkie (drug user), and when he told his family members and friends that he infected, all he got in response was neglect. He was convinced he would die within two years.

When he found out he was infected, Sibu went to neighboring country India with the desire to spend the remainder of his life there, so as not to burden his family and society. But after two years of struggle in India he came to know about the positive developments in HIV therapy. He returned and joined Navakiran Plus (NKP) in 2003.

NKP is a rehabilitation centre and hospice located in Shivapuri Heights on the outskirts of Kathmandu. It is run by HIV positive Nepalis under the leadership of Rajiv Kafle. NKP operates community care centres that provide support to over 350 children and adults living with HIV/AIDS across the country. Sibu works as a board member and advocacy officer for NKP. He also keeps busy as an executive member of DUNA (Drug Users Nepal Association) and volunteers in rehabilitation centres for drug users.

Unmarried Sibu lives in a rented room in Budhanilkantha, not far from his own home, where his mother, brother and sister-in-law live. He earns Rs 35,000 (USD 500/-) per month and provides some portion of this to his family. He is very health conscious, loves to play table tennis, and likes living clean. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with the children at NKP.

Sibu tests his blood every six months to keep track of his immunity levels, which are three times lower than normal. To maintain his immunity, he takes ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) pills every 12 hours. 

“One day scientists will find a cure for this disease, after all I have survived so far despite being HIV positive,” says Sibu. “If I live another five years, I am sure I will be able to witness a new era in the history of HIV treatment.”