Thae Hsu Seesar's remarkable journey from a frail child to a resilient advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS serves as a testament to her indomitable spirit. Raised in a world riddled with adversity, she endured the loss of both parents. At just 13 years old, she received a life-changing diagnosis of HIV transmitted from her mother, thrusting her into a realm of isolation, fear, and discrimination.
Her transformation began when she walked through the doors of The Union’s Integrated HIV Care (IHC) clinic in Pakokku, where compassionate healthcare providers offered not only the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) but also counselling, health education and emotional support. With unwavering determination, she committed to daily ART adherence, despite initial side effects. Over time, her symptoms receded, and she reclaimed her strength.
Empowered by the Hope Alive network’s peer group at IHC clinic, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery. As a volunteer, she found her calling educating others about adherence, access to care and HIV prevention. Through her own experiences, she understood the stigma, challenges and anxiety associated with being HIV positive, making her uniquely capable of offering unwavering emotional support to those in need.
In 2022, she gave birth to her son. Fuelled by determination, she ensured her child's safety through ART adherence, viral suppression, and preventive Mother-to-Child Transmission. In 2023, her son was declared HIV-free, a testament to her unwavering commitment.
To fulfil the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, The Union’s HIV programme is committed to delivering holistic care, treatment and prevention of HIV in 36 townships in Myanmar. Operating within the public sector, this initiative is deeply integrated into healthcare infrastructure, spanning across hospitals, township health centres and decentralised sites. Furthermore, it engages closely with healthcare specialists, doctors, nurses and social workers, forging collaborative partnerships that underscore its dedication to providing comprehensive care services.
A distinguishing hallmark of this programme is its reliance on active volunteer networks exclusively composed of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This volunteer force plays an instrumental role in augmenting the programme’s outreach and impact, attesting to the effectiveness of a community-centred approach.
Currently, the programme is steadfast in its efforts to improve the lives of those affected by HIV through multifaceted initiatives. These encompass a spectrum of care support activities, including clinical consultations, laboratory testing, tracking those who falter and a notably efficacious TB-HIV collaborative effort. Additionally, the programme has undertaken a crucial educational mission, disseminating behaviour change materials at project sites to enhance awareness and promote informed decision-making.
Today, Thae Hsu Seesar is a proud mother, living her life without fear. Regular lab tests confirm her successful ART regimen and controlled viral load. She embraces her role as an advocate, acknowledging the generosity of ART donors and the dedication of healthcare providers who offered expertise and unwavering support.
Her life stands as an inspiring example of triumph over adversity and a reminder that with access to ART and the support of the community, individuals can lead normal, healthy lives. As she aptly states: “We have ART drug, effective treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission, post-exposure prophylaxis and pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent or control the spread of HIV infection or disease. We have very powerful tools to have a normal healthy life.”