Edidiong, a 26-year-old aspiring hairdresser, faced a harrowing period that drastically transformed her life. In January 2024, she fell severely ill. Desperate for relief, she exhausted her limited funds on ineffective herbal mixtures and drugs from a local chemist. Despite her efforts, her condition only worsened. To compound her distress, she was even told her illness was the result of witchcraft, adding to her burden of despair and leading her to pursue unproven treatments.
By April 2024, during a crucial ECEWS ACE-5 community outreach in her hometown of Udung Uko, Akwa Ibom State, the dedicated ECEWS team diagnosed her with advanced HIV. “I didn’t know that I had HIV until they came to my house to test me and took me to the hospital where I was given free drugs,” Edidiong recalls, highlighting the critical HIV intervention that began her path to recovery. This proactive community health outreach in Akwa Ibom proved to be life-saving.
Initially, Edidiong struggled to accept her diagnosis, rooted in her belief that spiritual forces were at play, and she refused HIV treatment. Recognizing the critical need for comprehensive support that went beyond just medical intervention, the ECEWS team adopted a compassionate and tailored approach. They provided Edidiong with consistent weekly home visits, coupled with psychosocial support for HIV patients and counseling, patiently working to build her trust and understanding. This unwavering dedication demonstrated the power of holistic HIV care in Nigeria.
This unwavering dedication yielded remarkable results. As her health began to improve, Edidiong’s trust grew, leading to her adherence to both her HIV and tuberculosis treatments. Today, her health has dramatically improved. “Now, I can do things that I could not do before. I am starting to look good again,” she shares, her words reflecting a profound sense of renewed strength and confidence. Edidiong is not just regaining her physical health; she is rediscovering hope for a future she once thought was lost.
Edidiong’s journey powerfully underscores the life-saving impact of the Accelerating Control of the HIV Epidemic in Nigeria (ACE-5 Project). Funded by PEPFAR through USAID and implemented by ECEWS, this intervention showcases a client-centric and holistic HIV care model that extends far beyond medical treatment. It truly addresses the social and psychological needs of individuals, especially those with advanced HIV who are at high risk. Her story is a testament to the power of comprehensive support and unwavering compassion in transforming lives.
