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Establish center for people with AIDS
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Posted on Nov 30 1999
The Department of Public Health must seriously consider the establishment of a center where people suffering from AIDS or infected with HIV will be able to meet regularly and share their experiences.
The concept, similar to Guam, was raised by Moses Saburo, the first person on the island who publicly admitted that he is infected with the AIDS-causing virus.
In his work as a volunteer for DPH’s AIDS Program, Mr. Saburo said he became more aware of the extent of the problem in the CNMI, thus the need to put up a center.
He said majority of the people with AIDS or PWA depend on their immediate family members and a few friends for support. “By allowing the people who suffer from the same illness to meet would at least give each other some support in their fight against the dreaded disease,” he said. Mr. Saburo visited a similar center in Guam which he said has helped tremendously in the community’s campaign.
With the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS cases on the island, Mr. Saburo is urging other people infected with the deadly virus to come out in the open and help in the fight against the disease. He has committed himself to speak in schools and community gatherings to help the Department of Public Health’s information drive.
“I would like to share my experience with you in the hope that someone will listen, learn from this and live without HIV,” he said.
The department said 33 residents have been infected with HIV, but feared that there could be approximately 300 more unreported cases.
