Mpox, a viral illness similar to smallpox, has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). For people living with HIV, understanding the risks and benefits of Mpox vaccination is vital. As an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, I want to share my personal experience and insights on the importance of vaccination and preventive measures.
I, Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive individual, have faced numerous challenges throughout my journey. My experience with HIV treatment and vaccinations has reinforced my belief in the importance of science and medical advice. Since April 2019, I’ve undergone numerous changes to my medication regimen to achieve an undetectable HIV viral load. I have seen many other HIV-positive people listening to rumours and delaying their treatments and vaccinations.
Similar rumours occurred when the COVID-19 vaccine was introduced. HIV-positive people were curious and asked many questions, including: Should we take the COVID-19 vaccine? Is it safe for us? As a health worker working in community HIV prevention programs, I was among the first to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and it was safe.
I believe in science and doctors who have saved my life over these years. I want other HIV-positive people to trust scientists and protect themselves from Mpox and other infections by vaccinating or adhering to their doctors’ prescribed treatments.”
My understanding of the risks and benefits drove my decision to vaccinate against monkeypox. I emphasise the importance of trusting medical professionals and seeking accurate information from reliable sources.
I have taken the Mpox vaccination, and from my personal experience, I can say that I didn’t experience any adverse side effects after receiving it. It was a smooth process for me.
I urge other HIV-positive individuals, as well as people from key populations, including the LGBTQ+ community, to get vaccinated against Mpox if the vaccine is available in their area. It’s a crucial step in protecting your health.
By sharing my personal experience, I encourage others to trust medical professionals and seek accurate information. Individuals can play a vital role in controlling the spread of Mpox by taking preventive measures and getting vaccinated.
For accurate and up-to-date information on monkeypox, visit the websites of your local health department, the World Health Organization (WHO), and reputable health organisations. These resources can guide vaccination, prevention, and treatment.
Monkeypox, a viral illness similar to smallpox, has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). For people living with HIV, understanding the risks and benefits of monkeypox vaccination is crucial. As an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, Ali Raza Khan wants to share personal experience and insights on the importance of vaccination and preventive measures.
Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive individual, has faced numerous challenges throughout his journey. His experience with HIV treatment and vaccination has reinforced his belief in the importance of science and medical advice. He shares “ Since April 2019 and I have gone through a lot of medicine changes to get HIV undetectable viral load. I have seen many other HIV positive people listening to rumors delaying their treatments and vaccinations and eventually believing the science and doctors.”
He was one of the first people in his community health care workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it was only allowed for health care providers, despite widespread misinformation and concerns in the community.
“Similar rumors happened in the covid-19 when the covid-19 vaccine came HIV positive people were curious with a lot of questions around having covid-19 vaccine as HIV positive individuals including Should we take the covid-19 vaccine or not? Is it safe for us or not? I was one of the first that took the covid-19 vaccine as a health worker I was working in community HIV prevention programs. I believe in science and doctors that have saved my life over these years from different infections I suffered and I wanted other HIV positive people to trust on scientists and protect themselves from monkeypox and other infections by vaccinating or adhering to their doctors prescribed treatments.”
Ali Raza Khan’s decision to get vaccinated against monkeypox was driven by his understanding of the risks and benefits. He emphasizes the importance of trusting medical professionals and seeking accurate information from reliable sources. His personal experience demonstrates that vaccination can be a powerful tool in preventing serious illnesses, even for those living with HIV.
Transmission according to WHO:
Person-to-person transmission of mpox can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or other lesions such as in the mouth or on genitals; this includes contact which is
face-to-face (talking or breathing)
skin-to-skin (touching or vaginal/anal sex)
mouth-to-mouth (kissing)
mouth-to-skin contact (oral sex or kissing the skin)
respiratory droplets or short-range aerosols from prolonged close contact
The virus then enters the body through broken skin, mucosal surfaces (e g oral, pharyngeal, ocular, genital, anorectal), or via the respiratory tract. Mpox can spread to other members of the household and to sex partners. People with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk.
Monkeypox Diagnosis according to WHO:
Identifying mpox can be difficult as other infections and conditions can look similar. It is important to distinguish mpox from chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, scabies, herpes, syphilis, other sexually transmissible infections, and medication-associated allergies. Someone with mpox may also have another sexually transmissible infection such as herpes. For these reasons, testing is key for people to get treatment as early as possible and prevent further spread.
Monkeypox Vaccination for People Living with HIV
People living with HIV are generally at higher risk for monkeypox infection, especially if they have a weakened immune system. Vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and complications. Here’s what people living with HIV should know that by having a monkeypox vaccination you are
Reducing risk of severe illness and hospitalization for yourself
Protection against potential complications
Individual contribution to public health efforts to control the spread of monkeypox in community
You might only have mild side effects, such as pain at the injection site, fever, fatigue, and headache as serious side effects are rare in monkey pox vaccination.
If you are eligible or not it can vary by country or region. Consult with your healthcare provider for specific guidance.
“ Go for the vaccination if you have some questions I would like to clear in this post. Monkeypox is declared as a global Health concern by WHO. I already have taken my first dose of monkeypox vaccine last time when I was wasting in Canada as Canada has monkeypox free vaccine for visitors as well. On the other hand in my country in Pakistan the vaccine is still not available. If it is also not available in your country you can follow preventive guidelines from WHO on monkeypox. I did not have anything wrong or any side effects after taking the monkey pox vaccine. I would also suggest other HIV positive people and people from key populations including gay community To go and get themselves vaccinated with monkeypox if they have it available in their country. ”
Preventive Measures
Even if you have been vaccinated, it’s essential to follow preventive measures to reduce your risk of monkeypox infection:
Practice safe sex: Use condoms and limit the number of sexual partners.
Avoid contact with infected individuals: Be aware of symptoms and avoid direct contact with people who have monkeypox.
Wash your hands frequently: Use soap and water or hand sanitizer.
Clean and disinfect surfaces: Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated.
“It is important for us as vulnerable population of people from queer and sex work community to have basic information and guidelines around monkey pox vaccination especially for people living with HIV and also to get accurate guidance and information around Mpox from verified sources including health ministries websites and Worlf Health Organisation resources. “
Monkeypox vaccination is a crucial tool in protecting people living with HIV from serious illness. By sharing his personal experience, I encourage others to trust medical professionals and seek accurate information. By taking preventive measures and getting vaccinated, individuals can play a vital role in controlling the spread of monkeypox.
For accurate and up-to-date information on monkeypox, visit the websites of your local health department, the World Health Organization (WHO), and reputable health organizations. These resources can provide guidance on vaccination, prevention, and treatment.
Artists and scientists have worked together to create pieces of art now on display in Munich, Germany in conjunction with the International AIDS Conference. The exhibition, titled HIV Science As Art, was conceived by co-curators Jessica Whitbread and Daniel Cordner. It follows in the footsteps of their 2023 show that was on display a year ago during the IAS Conference on HIV Science in Brisbane Australia.
The art will be for sale and all proceeds will be used to support community-based HIV programs in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Africa. But the impact of the show extends beyond raising money for worthwhile organizations. The exhibition also challenges viewers to think more deeply about important biomedical and social issues.
One artist/scientist pair worked together to create a piece on vaccine hesitancy. Charles Ryan Long is a Chicago-based artist and long-time HIV/AIDS activist. He partnered with Dr. Heidi Larson, a professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and founder of the Vaccine Confidence Project. Their piece is entitled, “The Roots of (dis)Trust.”
Khairullah Rahim, an artist based in Singapore, collaborated with Ali Raza Khan, an HIV activist in Pakistan. Their piece, “Penjaga Hutan Batu (Guardian of the Stone Jungle),” is a short video ostensibly about pigeons. But Khairullah noted that the pigeons represent so much more. These birds often are vilified as carriers of disease. Too often, he remarked, people living with HIV are similarly vilified.
Both artists remarked that the collaborations with their science partners grew very organically. Long commented that when he was speaking with Dr. Larson about her work on vaccine hesitancy, the idea came quickly. “This is about trust,” he said. “It came to me rather easily and then it was just about how to transfer that idea.”
Rahim had similar thoughts about his collaboration. The process, “was very spontaneous. We wanted to see where the experimentation would bring us. There was no very clear end product that we were interested in.”
The exhibition has been supported by the pharmaceutical company ViiV Healthcare and Münchner Aids-Hilfe, an organization supporting people living with HIV in the Munich region since 1984. Works of art are on display at Brainlab, Olof-Palme-Straß 9 in Munich through July 25, 2024. The exhibition is open to the public daily from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM local time.
Read more on original article on Forbes website here
It was an honor to be invited by the UNICEF-led Global Partnership for Adolescents and Young Key Populations (Global ayKP Partnership) to speak at their recent event. The topic, “Connectedness & Community,” resonates deeply with the work we are doing on the ground in Pakistan for children and young people living with HIV and other vulnerable key populations, including gays, MSM (men who have sex with men), and sex workers. Here’s a summary of the insights I shared during the session.
At HIV Voices, we define ourselves as a youth-led initiative working for young people living with HIV and adolescents from key populations. Our approach leverages digital and innovative methods to reach individuals who are often difficult to engage due to their circumstances and locations in Pakistan. Our group comprises a diverse array of young people dedicated to spreading awareness about HIV, prevention methods, and addressing the unique challenges we face, including security concerns and the impact of climate change.
Engagement and Empowerment
One of our core activities involves ensuring that adolescent and young key population (ykp) voices are heard. This includes:
Mobilizing our members
Conducting capacity-building training sessions
Utilizing various platforms and methods available on the ground
Making our voices heard at national and global levels through letter and story campaigns, particularly on digital and social media platforms.
Fostering Reproductive Health and Rights
We place significant emphasis on the reproductive health and rights of adolescents and young girls. Our efforts are not just about HIV prevention but also about creating a safe space where key populations can voice their concerns and work together to tackle issues that affect their well-being.
Connectedness as a Core Theme
The theme of connectedness is at the heart of our work, especially in a conservative country like Pakistan, where key populations are criminalized, and safe spaces are scarce. We often face pressure from various security-related entities and other stakeholders, which can hinder our efforts. However, understanding and navigating these conditions is our strength. As young people and peer mentors, we know how to deal with the issues we encounter on the ground, ensuring that young people from key populations and other stakeholders remain connected and that our voices are heard.
Addressing Interconnected Issues
When working with vulnerable key populations, we sometimes overlook interconnected issues. Our programs and activities aim to bridge this gap by raising awareness and fostering collaboration among different groups. For example, we’ve facilitated exercises that help participants understand how issues affecting one key population are linked to those of another, promoting a more unified approach to addressing these challenges.
A Message of Empowerment
Allow me to share a powerful message from Aslam, a young man living with HIV and a member of our group, Young Positive People of Pakistan:
“Hello everyone, my name is Aslam, and I’m a young man living with HIV. When I was diagnosed through a community-based organization working for key populations, I felt the need for additional support and a desire to contribute to my community. Connecting with Young Positive People of Pakistan not only helped me feel supported but also empowered me in navigating HIV-related systems. Since becoming a member, I have expanded my knowledge about the global fund process in Pakistan, learned about the contributions of various stakeholders, and represented young PLHIV (people living with HIV) on national and international platforms. This involvement has enabled me to address our community’s issues effectively and advocate for our rights.”
The work we do on the ground, driven by the theme of connectedness, is vital. It’s crucial for global organizations and partnerships to continue supporting these efforts at a global level. The empowerment and collaboration of young key populations are essential to creating an inclusive and effective response to HIV. Thank you to the Global Partnership for Adolescents and Young Key Populations for providing this platform and for recognizing the importance of our collective efforts.
Munich, Germany – The AIDS 2024 conference will feature a pivotal session titled “From Ruin to Resilience: Harnessing Community Strength in the Face of Natural Disasters,” highlighting the critical intersection of climate change and public health. This scientific symposium, accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME), will take place on July 25, 2024, from 15:00 to 16:00 local time in Room 13a for in-person participation and on Channel 6 for virtual attendees.
Spotlight on Ali Raza Khan
One of the key speakers for this session is Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive gay activist from Multan, Pakistan. Khan is the founder of PridePakistan.org and co-lead of TheYouthPACT.org. His work focuses on advocating for the rights and health of marginalized communities, particularly those affected by HIV and climate change.
Session Overview
Moderated by Mary Ann Torres from ICASO, the session will delve into the dire impacts of emergencies caused by pandemics, war, the climate crisis, and other catastrophic events on vulnerable and marginalized communities. The discussion will cover a range of critical issues, including:
Continuity of Care: Ensuring ongoing care for children and young people born with HIV.
Access Disruptions: Addressing interruptions in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services.
Challenges for Migrants and Refugees: Highlighting the specific difficulties faced by these groups.
Increased Vulnerability to Co-Infections: Focusing on diseases such as diarrhoea, lung infections, and TB.
Impact of Food and Water Shortages: Examining how these shortages increase vulnerability to illness.
Inequalities in Social Protection: Discussing disparities in access to social safety nets.
Risk of Violence and Exploitation: Addressing the heightened risk of violence and exploitation in crisis situations.
Gender Inequality and Gender-Based Violence: Exploring the exacerbation of these issues during emergencies.
Forced HIV Testing of Migrants: Highlighting the ethical and health implications.
Funding Challenges: Discussing the impact of dwindling resources in the face of multiple crises.
Ali Raza Khan will share insights from his extensive work in Pakistan, where he has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on communities living with HIV. His presentation will focus on the resilience and strength of these communities in the face of natural disasters. Khan will highlight the innovative strategies employed by community organizations to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as plantation projects and collaborations with stakeholders to ensure inclusive efforts for those living with HIV.
Other Speakers
The session will also feature contributions from:
Juddy Otti from the Africa Advocacy Foundation, United Kingdom
Sophia Charles from Caris Foundation International, United States
These speakers will provide a global perspective on the challenges and solutions related to the health of vulnerable communities during emergencies.
Ali Raza Khan’s participation in this session underscores the importance of community-led initiatives and the need for global solidarity in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by natural disasters and other crises. His work with Pride Pakistan and The Youth PACT exemplifies the power of resilience and the critical role of advocacy in safeguarding the health and rights of marginalized populations.
Hey there! 🌟 I wanted to share some exciting and important news with you all. In May 2023, I was invited to join the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a member of this incredible team. As an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, I know firsthand the challenges and stigma that come with living with HIV. This opportunity has been a powerful way for me to advocate for our community on a global stage.
Why My Representation Matters:
The 30-80-60 Targets are part of the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. These targets aim to prevent millions of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 2030. They specifically call for community-led organizations to deliver:
30% of testing and treatment services.
2. 80% of HIV prevention services for high-risk populations.
3. 60% of programs to support societal enablers, reducing stigma, punitive laws, and gender-based violence.
Community-led organizations, like the ones I work with, play a critical role in achieving these targets. Our unique experiences, perspectives, and voices are essential in shaping effective strategies. We’re self-determined and autonomous, free from external influences, which allows us to truly represent and be accountable to our communities.
My Role and Contributions:
During our first meeting on May 10th, 2023, we discussed the development of a robust monitoring framework for these targets. We explored existing data collection and reporting mechanisms and identified opportunities to strengthen them. This is crucial because there’s currently no standardized system to track progress towards these targets.
Serving on this advisory group has been a humbling and empowering experience. It’s a reminder that our voices matter and that we can drive meaningful change. By representing young HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers from Pakistan and the EMRO region, I’m committed to ensuring our needs and challenges are addressed.
As we move forward, our collaborative efforts will be instrumental in shaping a monitoring framework that drives positive change in the global fight against HIV. Together, we can make a difference and create a world where everyone has access to the care, support, and dignity they deserve.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more updates! 🌍❤️
On May 10th, 2023, the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets convened for their first meeting. This group, composed of global stakeholders dedicated to advancing the fight against HIV, gathered to discuss the development of a monitoring framework for the ambitious 30-80-60 targets set in the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. The meeting brought together diverse voices, including Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, who represents young HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers from the EMRO region. The meeting began with opening remarks from key UNAIDS representatives, highlighting the importance of the 30-80-60 targets. The targets aim to prevent 3.6 million new HIV infections and 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030 through community-led efforts.
Overview of the 30-80-60 Targets:
30 per cent of testing and treatment services, focusing on HIV testing, linkage to treatment, adherence, retention support, and treatment literacy.
2. 80 per cent of HIV prevention services for populations at high risk of infection, including women within those populations.
3. 60 per cent of programs supporting societal enablers to reduce stigma, discrimination, punitive laws, and gender-based violence.
The advisory group discussed the need for a robust monitoring framework to track progress towards the 30-80-60 targets. Existing data collection and reporting mechanisms used by community-led organizations were explored. Ideas to strengthen and build on these mechanisms to inform national and global monitoring were shared. The group expressed the need for more discussion and engagement to ensure everyone is on the same page. Participants were encouraged to provide feedback and suggest amendments to the proposed process for developing the monitoring framework. The importance of agreeing on principles and critical success factors to ensure the framework’s effectiveness was highlighted.
Conclusion: The first meeting of the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets set a strong foundation for future efforts. The diverse perspectives and insights shared by members, including Ali Raza Khan, emphasized the importance of inclusive and community-led approaches to achieve the ambitious 2025 targets. As the group moves forward, their collaborative efforts will be instrumental in shaping a monitoring framework that drives meaningful change in the global fight against HIV. 🌍❤️
Ali Raza Khan, an HIV-positive gay activist from Pakistan, has been invited to join the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets. This esteemed group comprises global stakeholders dedicated to advancing the fight against HIV. Ali’s involvement marks a significant step towards ensuring the voices of young HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers from Pakistan and the EMRO region are heard and represented in global HIV initiatives.
Background on the 30-80-60 Targets:
The 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, adopted by United Nations Member States, set forth ambitious targets to be achieved by 2025. The goals are to prevent 3.6 million new HIV infections and 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths by 2030. Three specific targets emphasize the role of community-led organizations in delivering HIV-related services:
30 per cent of testing and treatment services, focusing on HIV testing, linkage to treatment, adherence, retention support, and treatment literacy.
2. 80 per cent of HIV prevention services for populations at high risk of infection, including women within those populations.
3. 60 per cent of programs supporting societal enablers to reduce stigma, discrimination, punitive laws, and gender-based violence.
Community-led organizations are pivotal in the HIV response, reflecting the experiences, perspectives, and voices of their constituencies. These organizations operate independently of government, commercial, or donor influences, ensuring they are truly representative and accountable to their communities.
Ali Raza Khan brings a wealth of experience and passion to the advisory group.
As the founder of Pride Pakistan and an advocate for HIV-positive gay individuals and sex workers, Ali’s insights are invaluable. His participation underscores the importance of including marginalized voices in global health strategies. The advisory group aims to develop a robust monitoring framework for the 30-80-60 targets. This involves exploring existing data collection and reporting mechanisms used by community-led organizations and identifying opportunities to strengthen them. Ali’s involvement will ensure that the unique challenges and needs of key populations are considered in the framework. Ali’s membership in the advisory group highlights the recognition of the crucial role that young HIV-positive gay activists play in the global HIV response. His advocacy efforts will contribute to the development of effective strategies to achieve the 30-80-60 targets and improve the lives of those affected by HIV. Ali Raza Khan’s inclusion in the UNAIDS Global Advisory Group on Monitoring the 30-80-60 Targets is a testament to his dedication and leadership in the fight against HIV. His unique perspective and experience will be instrumental in shaping the future of HIV prevention, treatment, and support services. 🌍❤️
Tuesday, 25th January 2022 The Communities Delegation of people living with and affected by HIV, TB and malaria (Communities Delegation) to the Global Fund Board has the pleasure to announce the appointment of Mr Javier Hourcade as the Board Member and Mr Ali Raza Khan as the Alternate Board Member. The constituency confirmed and welcomed the new leadership during its online retreat in December 2021. Javier and Ali will serve a two-year term until January 2024. Mr Ali Raza Khan is a young PLHIV activist from Multan, Pakistan, working for his community since 2015, focused on HIV prevention, SRHR and peace. Over the past few years, he has worked with numerous local, national & international organisations for the rights of young PLHIVs and KPs. He is currently leading an initiative in Pakistan focusing on young vulnerable key populations and PLHIVs. Ali is a laureate of the HIV HERO Award 2021 by APCOM for his effort and work around HIV and PLHIVs. A new member from the Communities Delegation, at only 29 years old, Ali is the delegation’s first youth member to serve in the leadership and has consistently shown a keen interest to learn and an immense commitment to amplifying the voices of communities at the Global Fund Board. We want to take the opportunity to express our deepest gratitude and admiration for our outgoing Board Member Erika Castellanos. Erika joined the Communities Delegation in 2015 and has since demonstrated an aptitude and appetite to transform and strengthen the representation of communities at the Board level. Natural from Belize, in Central America, Erika served as Alternate Board Member from 2018 to 2020. In December 2020, she became the first transgender woman to ever serve as a Board Member of the Global Fund. Erika’s integrity and unapologetic and skilful leadership have led the delegation through decisive moments. More recently, it has guaranteed that our constituency had a prominent role in shaping the next Strategy.
We thank Erika immensely for the legacy she leaves as a role model of governance official, and we are delighted to retain her as a member of the delegation’s Advisory Working Group (AWG). Erika continued the outstanding leadership from Ms Maurine Murenga, former Communities Delegation Board Member, from 2018 to 2020, and current member of the AWG as well, whom we want to acknowledge for her equally solid and continued commitment to the Communities Delegation.
We also thank Olivia Ngou, our outgoing Alternate Board Member, for her efforts and time dedicated to the delegation. A long-time malaria champion, Olivia added the voices of malaria activists to our discussions, ensuring that their priorities were also well captured in our positions. Born in Cameroon, she focused on connecting the delegation with francophone communities and strengthening our relationship with francophone partners. As a member of the AWG and co-lead of our Strategy Committee working group, we also thank her for her diligence and support with internal affairs and many valuable contributions throughout the new Strategy development process.
The Communities Delegation is looking ahead to a pivotal year in the Global Fund’s new Strategy development process and we look forward to engaging with you in 2022.
About the Communities Delegation:
The Communities Delegation of people living with and affected by HIV, TB and malaria (Communities Delegation) is one of three civil society constituencies on the Global Fund Board. It has a unique role in leveraging the lived experiences of HIV, TB and Malaria and bringing a human face to the realities of the three diseases. The Communities Delegation is committed to ensuring human rights and gender equality in programmes, with particular attention to key and vulnerable, marginalised, criminalised and stigmatised populations. The delegation engages with its communities and influences decisions with the ultimate aim of ensuring the best equitable and sustainable access to prevention, treatment, care and support services for the three diseases.
Good to have you talk to us, and welcome to The PACT interview series: can you tell us about yourself, maybe the ones we do not know yet.
My name is Ali Raza Khan, a young person living with HIV community member working for sexual and gender minorities and people living with HIV and gay in my local community and for gay and HIV positive people around the globe. I’m simple introvert guy who speaks less but shows his worth via my actions and work. I have been working as a volunteer, part time or full time for HIV and AIDS prevention since 2015 with multiple local, national, regional and international organisations including local community based organisations, Regional Networks of key populations and Communities Delegation to the Global Fund Board. Currently, I’m leading an organisation called Pride Pakistan and Institute of HIV Education and Research which is working for education of HIV and AIDS among young key vulnerable populations.
Why are you passionate about HIV, SRHR ? How did the passion spring up?
I started working for HIV awareness in 2015 as a volunteer. After knowing my positive status, I devoted myself for betterment of young people living with HIV in my community. The motivation to work for my community came from my life experiences in conservative society of Pakistan. I had faced what a young people living with HIV and sex workers had to face in accessing and practicing their health and rights. I have raised voice for my gay and HIV positive community fellows that was suffering due to negligence of health system towards people living with HIV from gay and sex workers community. I have seen young community members in front of me losing their life due to AIDS. I believe many of such lives can be saved with little more efforts and improvements. There are lots of things which needs to be improved to prevent our future generations from HIV epidemic. That is why I want to be part of this life force so that I can make my work more impactful via this platform.
Why did you join The PACT?
I joined The PACT to work for my global young gay and HIV positive community beyond borders, language, cultures, and any other differences just for this one cause of ending new HIV and AIDS infection by 2030.
A portrait of Ali Raza Khan
What motivates you to keep pushing and working for the benefit of young people?
The small appreciations from my community. The words of appreciation for saving one’s life or improving lives or feedback from community after sharing information related to sexual, reproductive health and rights. I myself face these community issues everyday, and as long as they are here they push me to continue.
What are your hopes for the future of the youth HIV movement?
I want to see young gay and HIV positive people raise their voices without any fear of discrimination or stigma. I want to see a day where they will not only work for their own selves but for other vulnerable people as well, becoming ideals for others that can follow them in future.
What would be your message to young people all over the world working to end AIDS by 2030?
Stay strong, work together to make your voices heard at each and every level of the society.
19th April 2019: THE DAY I WAS DIGNOSED HIV AND STARTED MY ARV TREATMENT
Hi, I’m Raza, a young non-binary from Pakistan. I have completed my post-graduation and planning for a PhD from a PLHIV friendly country because I am from the YPLHIV community and I’m not shy to tell that however It wasn’t always like that.
There were bad times when I was not well mentally and physically. I remember that it was a kind of normal thing for my family to take me to emergency because of high fever even after getting medications. Sometimes it disappears for a few days and sometimes for months. It was not just the fever there were also other complications like bloody diarrhea. I was afraid of eating or going to the toilet as medications were not helping for long.
I remember the day I was diagnosed with HIV in April 2019. I wasn’t afraid of it at first until I witnessed a 15-year-old young boy dying of AIDS in the HIV/AIDS department of the hospital during my first visit to get ARVS. His body was dark, dried and lean on a bench 3 feet to where I was sitting. I did not want my life to end up like that nor the lives of other young people. The death of this boy can be prevented if diagnosed and treated on time with support of the community. I spent months thinking from where I might have contracted HIV but never got the answer. Thinking about that was a burden on mental health as there were multiple instances where I might have contracted it so I left thinking about it.
I came to know after 4 months that my ARV formula wasn’t working because of high viral load in my reports. These were the days when I told about my status to my close ones. Unlike my expectations they were supportive. Here in my city it takes almost a month to get viral load results as the ART center sends blood samples to the capital city and reports come back after 15 to 30 days. I don’t like these delays not only for my own but also for other YPLHIV for whom this time can be critical. I still have marks of blisters I got on my body due to high viral load and reaction of my 2nd ARV formula which I have to leave after a week. This was the time I needed support from my family and friends and so I got unlike other YPLHIV people who ask for support on online support groups. Becoming part of online PLHIV community groups gave me deep insight of how difficult it is for PLHIV especially young people to get support. I tried my best to support other YPLHIV by talking to them using online platforms.
Most people believe that people living with HIV just have to take one tablet a day but that’s not true as I have to take six tablets a day 3 in morning and 3 In evening. This is the 3rd ARV formula. I have been taking this for more than 9 months. It seems to be working as I have gained my lost weight and there are no more complications. However, I’m not sure because the viral load test report can prove that but in this COVID-19 situation ART center delayed my viral load test which they were supposed to take after six months. Now after situation came back to normal I was able to receive viral load test and got my report with undetectable viral load. I’m happy and so want others YPLHIV members to stay happy by achieving undetectable.
I had worked part time as a SRHR young advocate before knowing my status but devoted my full time and changed my field of work after knowing my status. As my previous workplace didn’t have a friendly environment for people with special needs. Now I’m working for HIV/AIDS prevention in my town. I’m working in a community-based organization openly as PLHIV to contribute my part to stop new HIV cases among young people. I openly talk about HIV and AIDS and how we can end discrimination and stigma associated with PLHIV on which many SRHR activists also feel shied to talk. I believe my open discussion can help directly or indirectly to prevent a new HIV case. As the 1st day on my ARV I made my mind to work to prevent any other young people from dying of this preventable disease I started to make my work more sustainable by using online digital and social media for advocacy of HIV/AIDS among young people. I’m writing blogs and starting conversations among young groups as it may prevent a death in future as close as 3 feet to me.
The original article was posted on Live Now Togteher campaign page
Hi, I’m Ali Raza Khan 27 years old young boy from Pakistan. I am from PLHIV community and I’m not shied to tell that however It wasn’t always like that.
There were bad times when I was not well mentally and physically. I remember that it was a kind of normal thing for my family to take me to emergency because of high fever even after getting medications. Sometimes it disappears for few days and sometimes for months. It was not just the fever there were also other complications like bloody diarrhea. I was afraid of eating or going to toilet as medications were not helping for long.
I remember the day I was diagnosed HIV. I wasn’t afraid of it at start until I witnessed a 15-year-old young boy dying of AIDS in HIV/AIDS department of the hospital during my first visit to get ARVS. His body was dark, dried and lean on a bench 3 feet to where I was sitting. I did not want my life to end up like that nor the lives of other young people. The death of this boy can be prevented if diagnosed and treated on time with support of community.
I came to know after 4 months that my ARV formula wasn’t working because of high viral load in my reports. These were the days when I told about my status to my close ones. Unlike my expectations they were supportive. Here in my city it takes almost a month to get viral load results as ART center send blood sample to capital city and reports comes back after 15 to 30 days. I don’t like these delays not only for my own but also for other PLHIV for whom this time can be critical. I still have marks of blisters I got on my body due to high viral load and reaction of my 2nd ARV formula which I have to leave after a week. This was the time I needed support from my family and friends and so I got unlike other PLHIV people which beg for support on online support group. Becoming part of online PLHIV community groups gave me deep insight of how difficult it is for PLHIV especially young people to get support. I tried my best to support other PLHIV by talking to them using online platforms.
Most people believe that people living with HIV just have to take one tablet a day but that’s not true as I have to take six tablets a day 3 in morning and 3 In evening. This is 3rd ARV formula. I have been taking this for almost 9 months. It seems to be working as I have gained my lost weight and there are no more complications. However, I’m not sure because viral load test report can prove that but in this COVID-19 situation ART center delayed my viral load test which they were supposed to take after six months.
I had worked part time as SRHR young advocate before knowing my status but devoted my full time and changed my field of work after knowing my status. As my previous workplace didn’t had friendly environment for people with special needs. Now I’m working for HIV/AIDS prevention in my town of Multan. I’m working in a community-based organization openly as PLHIV to contribute my part to stop new HIV cases among young people. I openly talk about HIV and AIDS and how we can end discrimination and stigma associated with PLHIV on which many SRHR activists also feel shied to talk. I believe my open discussion can help directly or indirectly to prevent a new HIV case. As the 1st day on my ARV I made my mind to work to prevent any other young people die of this preventable disease I started to make my work more sustainable by using online digital and social media for advocacy of HIV/AIDS among young people. I’m writing blogs and starting conversations among young groups as it may can prevent a death in future as close as 3 feet to me.
I try to not think about when it happened from where it happened. Because whenever I think about that I am clueless and confused. Either it infected me a month ago, 3 months ago or 3 years ago. Either from some infected equipment or unprotected contact.
What now I just think about is to keep my self healthy to fight this bug. I try not to deviate from my dreams, career and plans about future. As it will be more confused situation for me. I’m keeping my daily routine as it was before I came to know about HIV infection. I’m very much successful and hopping to to succeed in this fight between my future plans and this bug. I won’t say it’s a complete normal life as it was before as it affected my life for now to small extent.
The above text is my story but had to cover it as friend because of the fear of stigma and discrimination in Pakistan back in 2019
