The campaign to curb expansion of HIV/AIDS requires every sect of the communities’ and stakes collaborative work. The very epidemic and incurable nature of the virus demands all inclusive effort.
Following the advent of HIV/ AIDS in Ethiopia and cognizant of its epidemic nature, which requires collaborative effort, nation has been mobilizing all stakes to curb the massive expansion it has showed. Combating HIV/AIDS should not be left to state or a single institution; it should be the assignment of every single nationals and community sects.
The role of individuals is highly valuable as an epidemic could not be put under control without active engagement of individuals. The active engagement of health professionals in the campaign to combat its spread is crucial as these professionals delve into it have adequate knowledge on how to deal with it than others. Today, we want to share you a glimpse of experience about a young nurse who is giving all his best to combating this deadly disease voluntarily.
Tariku Setegn, a BSC Nurse by his profession, joined Effeson Health Center, some 280 km from the capital where he serves in outpatient departments (OPDs) treating people living with HIV/AIDS. Although a cure for HIV does not yet exist, ART boost healthy existence for many years, and greatly reduces the chance of transmitting HIV to sex partners if taken consistently and correctly. ART reduces the amount of virus in patients’ blood and body fluids. ART is recommendable for all people living with HIV, regardless of how long they’ve had the virus or how healthy they are. However, the medicine by itself is not enough to maintain patients’ sanity for long.
It requires, strong mentality, balanced diet, highly controlled medical follow up and same. Adhering with his duties, Tariku realized that only merely accessing ART was not enough to well maintain chemotrophy of the person and come up with an idea of supporting orphaned children living with the virus after. Tariku was following some 500 patients at Effeson Health Center. However, most orphaned children were not showing desired progress though taking the medicine. “On the process the young children developed signs and symptoms that should not happen to them, and learnt that the main cause was deprivation, lack of balanced diet and shelter.”
And that was the turning point for him to decide to deliver the best he can for these children. “I had slept over it, and decided to give volunteer service on my expenses, all not for search of fame rather call of humanity. With a living standard any one can guess, I have sheltered only two youngsters with me.” However, he couldn’t get relief as there were still many others outside who seek similar aid. He came across to another idea, collecting money from his friends.
“I was worried about the rest of kids and made my mind to consult staffs; luckily they confirmed their collaboration to lend me hand.” His staffs decided to donate birr 10 to 100 per month which helped him to add five more children to the rescue. Realizing the huge effort needed to help others in demand, he develops a proposal to establish an association named by ‘Effrata Gidim Enat Children Development Association’.
Tariku keeps saying, community service is often organized through a local group, in any place by anyone or people who share the same vision. “Yes, bringing the right skills and experience is not easy, but the enthusiasm, the ability to get things done with heart and fellow staffs heartfelt imitative brings the association to reality.” Now, under the umbrella of the association, over 31 children are attending schooling with safe health and mental strength and even some joined universities.
Besides, each student gets birr 250 pocket money monthly for their extra demands. Tariku and his association are now dreaming big; incorporating other children with economic vulnerability to attend schooling, building residing place where rural students stay while attending high school and pining that lead to create lasting solution to build resilient community. Alemnesh Mamo, Children Right Protection head at Efratana Gedim Werda Children and Youth Affairs Bureau hailed the deeds of Tariku.
“We are grateful for his efforts and we decide to help him in the due process to establish the association.” She stressed that, he paved the way for the establishment of other associations and called up on stakes to collaborate in rendering aids for the needy. “Over 22 associations followed his footstep while it crated initiatives for investors to discharge moral responsibilities in the community.
” Tariku call on stakes to work with the association, because organized efforts could create difference, serving peoples at grass roots have great impacts. It is not about how much we give but how much love we put into giving. Overall, this passionate nurse is one of the undiscovered stars in the nation who gave back to the community. His efforts give all of us a lesson to question our contribution and effort to pay back. With only our short space of life left, there is still time to reach the disadvantaged with courage to open new chapter of life.
Herald January 2/2019
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
