"It was very difficult because there was lots of stigma and discrimination," the Burundian colonel told IRIN. "When a person tested positive it was like a death sentence. Everyone was running away from you, everyone was afraid of you."
IRIN Film: Watch the film on Colonel Felix Ntungumburanye |
Since his disclosure, Ntungumburanye has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV in Burundi's army. Today, soldiers receive regular HIV prevention messages and are encouraged to go for HIV tests; those who test positive are put on life-prolonging antiretroviral medication.
IRIN's newest film, The Colonel, part of our Heroes of HIV series, tells the story of Ntungumburanye's fight to reduce stigma and improve HIV prevention and care in Burundi's armed forces.
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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions