Tears as discordant couple narrates ordeal

EASTERN PROVINCE KAYONZA — A couple in Rwinkavu Sector, Kayonza district, caused tears to flow whena husband explained how they had been having unprotected sex for long, but when they went for an HIV screening, he tested positive while his wife was not infected. Cleophas Munyemana,and Bernadette Mukarugwiro are a discordant couple where one partner is HIV positive while another is negative. Munyemana said he has been living happily with his wife and they have two kids in primary school. He was speaking during the ceremony to mark the Family Day held at Rwinkwavu Stadium. When I went for voluntary counselling and testing [VCT] on October 10, 2005, I was told that I was HIV positive. But when my wife sought the same service she tested negative. I failed to understand the phenomenon. However, we have continued to live together and we live happily, he said. He added that after testing HIV positive he immediately started taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). I now feel healthier; I used to weigh about 50 kilograms but now I weigh more than 70 kilograms, he said, thanking the government and partners in health for making ARVs available. At first I did not welcome the news but after counselling, I can now testify that I live happily with my husband, his wife said. If my husband had not taken ARVS, I would be a widow by now, she added. Speaking at the occasion, Anita Umutesi, the district Vice Mayor, appealed to Rwandans to go for voluntary testing to know their HIV status. Officials from the Rwanda Network of People Living with HIV/Aids (RRP+) and the National Aids Control Commission (CNLS) cautioned residents against stigmatising HIV-infected individuals. The day was organized by RRP+ in conjunction with Kayonza district, and facilitated by CNLS and UNICEF. Ends