Menu
Thirteen years ago, Franka, 27, was confronted with some unknown illness that she could only describe as; persistent cough, fevers and a skin rash. Franka and her parents did not know what was causing her to be sick. The parents took their teenage daughter to the nearby Health Centre for treatment, and she was diagnosed with HIV.
Franka was started on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and given medication to treat the infections that affected her because of her low immunity. After two months on treatment, Franka’s situation was worsening instead of improving. The counselors intervened and realized that the teenage Franka was not taking her medication. She was re-counselled, and her HIV status disclosed to her with the consent of her parents.
Growing up as a teenager, Franka had given up on life after realizing she was a young adolescent girl living with HIV. She worried that she would be unable to live life to the fullest and cope with taking daily ART medication. She occasionally missed her pills causing her to be virally non suppressed at certain times. Hopeless about her situation, Franka would think to herself, “there is nothing am living for, and even if I die anytime, am worth it”.
Franka’s frustration went on for a period of two years and the peak was when she tried to commit suicide. She crushed a full tin of antiretroviral drugs (TLE) and took all the powder at once. She was rushed to hospital and managed in time thus her life was saved.
Following Franka’s near-death incident, her mother reached out for support at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor as opposed to the lower-level health center where they were receiving care. While at the Hospital she received support from the health workers and was attached to a counselor that availed psychosocial support both at facility and at home. She also joined family support groups at the Hospital where she and her mother would meet with other parents whose children are in HIV care and share experiences. At Lacor Hospital, Franka found purpose in life and her perception about her situation totally changed.
In 2016, while at Lacor, Franka met her husband, an ART client at the facility. The two got married and borne two lovely children that are HIV negative. When Franka conceived her first child, she was worried of passing on HIV to her unborn child. “I was enrolled into group antenatal care where I found young mothers of my age group and they shared their experiences with me about pregnancy and prevention of mother to child transmission and HIV exposed infant diagnosis (PMTCT/EID) services”, says Franka.
Today, Franka devotes her time supporting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and other mothers with HIV exposed infants (HEI). She gives them hope that it’s possible to live a complete and fulfilled life with HIV. She was identified to work with AGYW as a mentor mother at Lacor ART clinic supported by the USAID funded Local Service Delivery for HIV/AIDS (LSDA) project.
As we commemorate World AIDS day 2023, USAID/LSDA recognizes heroes like Franka who have given hope to many mothers that have raised exposed infants and guided them to HIV free lives. LSDA supports 192 private not for profit (PNFP) health facilities to provide HIV and TB care.
Local Service Delivery for HIV/AIDS Activity (USAID/LSDA)
Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau
Plot 728, Namirembe, UPMB Close (off Balintuma Road), Mengo, Kampala, Uganda https://upmb.co.ug
For more information, contact the Chief of Party, Johnson Masiko on email: jmasiko@upmb.co.ug
January 2024
This success story is made possible by the generous support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of the story are the responsibility of UPMB and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.