Ma San San Maw, a caregiver from the HIV/AIDS project in Pathein would like to tell how she has helped save a patient's life with timely access to ART.

"I still remember that day. People in my neighbourhood were whispering to each other in fear about someone who might die soon from AIDS as there was a bad omen the day before — a black bird had cawed and all her family members were waiting for her to die.

"Eager to find out how I could help, I rushed to the patient's home with the help of my neighbours. When I arrived, a sorrowful sight touched me. A thin, wasted and neglected patient was lying in bed but there was no one near her, not even her own family members — they dared not approach her for fear that they would get infected with HIV by touching her and attending to her.

"As the patient had been ill for two months and could not eat anything, she could barely move her body or clean herself. Instead, her sister suspected that some evil spirit possessed her and thought this was the only explanation for her lingering breath. They even warned me not to go near the patient for I would get infected with HIV too.

"Their misconceptions from lack of access to HIV/AIDS related education and information made the patient's life helpless, not even receiving the proper care due from her own family members in her time of need. I felt sorry for the unfortunate patient and decided to help her as much as I could.

"I shared with them my experiences from my volunteer work as a social worker and knowledge gained from health education and training sessions I attended — how HIV could and could not be transmitted. I attended to the patient's needs and helped her gargle with salt water explaining that she could not swallow because of thrush in her mouth and gave her psychosocial support.

"Next day, I explained to them where and how Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV(VCCT) could be accessed and its benefits so that she would be able to make her own informed decision. I regularly visited the patient's home to build trust and gain her confidence until she finally made her decision to take HIV testing.

"The following morning, I referred and accompanied her for VCCT at Pyi Gyi Khin's clinic in Pathein where they have been implementing the HIV/AIDS project with support from the Global Fund since 2011. She got an appointment for the post-test counselling and result at 3:00 pm on the same day.

"On hearing the test result that she was positive for HIV, the patient regretted with sorrow "I could have taken HIV testing earlier before my health deteriorated with AIDS. It depressed me for I have not prepared myself to die yet. "The counsellor listened attentively to all of the patient's concerns with patience and gave reassurance that they were there to give all the help she needed and that she was not alone.

"As she came out of Pyi Gyi Khin's HIV/AIDS clinic with a patient record book in her hand, I could remember her words said with a sigh —"I used to earn my living as a vendor but I am at a loss now for I could not earn my living any more.I have no one to turn to as my own family members have neglected and separated me fearing they too would get infected with HIV."

"I empathized with her feelings and decided to disclose my own HIV status to her. "I know what you are going through for I am also infected with HIV like you and I am registered at Pyi Gyi Khin HIV/AIDS clinic and have been taking Septrin regularly since 2007 — it prevents us from getting opportunistic infections like bacterial and fungal infections. Please take Septrin regularly and you will soon enjoy its benefits".

"She gradually regained enough strength to take care of herself. I supported her in all possible ways to attend regular counselling sessions and also as her caregiver visiting her home regularly. As she was also infected with Hepatitis B, I explained to her the ways the disease is transmitted and how she could prevent other people, such as her husband from being infected. I encouraged her to have constructive thinking and adopt a positive attitude to life and told her how regular religious practices could help.

"I also explained to her about "Arr Man Thit" peer group. "Being a member of a peer group allows us to know other people living with HIV, share experiences of coping and living with HIV day-to-day, which gives us relief from our worries, uncertainties in life and depression." This convinced her and upon her voluntary request, she was introduced to "Arr Man Thit" peer group. When her CD4 was tested, it was only 30 and she was immediately started on ART, after the necessary investigation by the responsible physicians.

"The patient's CD4 has since then risen to 563 and she can now enjoy a very happy family life with her own family. She also supports other PLHIV as a peer educator for Pyi Gyi Khin.

"The quality of my life has improved enormously. I can now once again enjoy a normal life with my beloved children and grandchildren thanks to the dedicated care and support by the counsellors and caregivers from Pyi Gyi Khin HIV/AIDS project with support from the Global Fund".

"As is clear from my own experience, timely access to ART will ensure longer healthy lives for people living with HIV, to all of whom I would like confidently to recommend: Take refuge in ART for a longer life."

Pyi Gyi Khin has been implementing its HIV/AIDS project "Enhancing the quality of life of PLHIV through ART provision, psychosocial support, home based care and increased access to prevention services among MSM/SWs" in Aung Ban and Shwe Nyaung townships in Southern Shan State, Myingyan township in Mandalay Division, Pakokku township in Magwe Division and Pathein and Maaupin townships in Ayeyarwaddy Division.