HIV Hero
Honouree
The HIV Hero is supported by our Community Partner APN+
Andrew Tan
Malaysia
Diagnosed in 1994 and facing discrimination from diagnosing doctor, which resulted in a one year delay in seeking treatment. Started treatment in 1995 on AZT MonoTherapy, which had an adverse impact on my underlying Thalassemia trait. Eventually on combination of twenty pills daily which saved my life albeit without any significant Quality of Life. After focusing on treatment and recovery for 8 years, I joined Kuala Lumpur AIDS Support Services Society (KLASS), discovering a safe space and second home. Volunteered there and moved up the organisational ladder until currently leading KLASS as the president for another two-year term.
Brief information about your work
Leading KLASS in this era of diminishing funding resources proves to be a continuous focus to ensure that the organisation’s doors remain open to serve our community in need. To this extent, I rely greatly on the collaborative efforts of all my Executive Committee team in coming up with ideas for fundraising and establishing sustainable resources for the long-term. This needs to be done simultaneously with the development of services that meet the evolving needs of this increasingly internet savvy community. Over the years, KLASS has prided itself of its ability to listen to the needs of the community, and developing services to meet those needs. Many of its programs has been proven to work, eventually being adapted and implemented by Ministry of Health across the nation
What one achievement you’ve accomplished that you’re most proud of? Why?
I developed a passion for ensuring committee empowerment through greater Treatment Adherence Compliance after attending a workshop of a Treatment Literacy program that was easy to comprehend. I was frustrated that it took so long to discover the program and excited about its potential back home. Bringing it back to Malaysia, I collaborated with Treating Physicians to translate the resources into Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin languages. In an interesting turn of events, an invitation to train UNHCR medical volunteers in Burmese, offered the opportunity to expand the translation even further. The material was adapted to meet local religious sensitivities.
What do you find most challenging about your work? Why?
The greatest challenge is the realisation that although there’s a need to improve Prevention and Testing coverage, reducing onward transmission of HIV, there is another important piece of the jigsaw puzzle missing. Investing all available funding on Prevention and Testing limits our response on only one front. All services currently end at linkage to Treatment and achieving Viral Load suppression. The question remains, UVL for how long? We lack sufficient focus on Treatment Retention as well as reduction of Default and Loss to Follow-up cases. There is little recognition of Treatment Fatigue and the value of maintaining Peer Navigation.
What do you do to recharge your battery?
I am encouraged by physicians’ feedback, when they inform that patients have improved their attitude towards treatment and display more positive outlooks after our sessions. Clients inform me how much they appreciate my support, remind me that I am making a difference. Hopefully, I inspire others to emulate what I do and try to do the same by paying it forward. When I celebrated my twentieth year of my diagnosis, I learnt the importance of self-care and took up scuba diving. It provided me an opportunity to enter a world of complete silence only punctuated by my breathing and air bubbles.
What is your vulnerability and how do you overcome it?
My weakness is that I try to take on too much by trying to do everything. I am learning to say no when my plate is too full or when I am exhausted. I have a fear of disappointing people because I believe that they only reach out for help when they are truly in need and it is very important to respond quickly. I also need to learn how to delegate responsibilities and trust that people will do the best that they can.
You have been nominated for the HIV Hero category.
What was your reaction and please, tell us why?
I am always amazed that what I do is seen, noticed, recognised and appreciated by others. This is because I am very poorly skilled on the social media front and seldom announce what I do for others in the way that some of my peers are skilled in their publicity. Nevertheless, I am truly appreciative that my efforts are valued enough to warrant a nomination that is so prestigious. I do feel blessed for this reminder that what I do is important and value that encouragement to continue to do so for as long as I am physically able to.
What is a warm/hopeful message that you would like to share with the communities in the Asia Pacific?
My main message for all is to do all that we can individually to prevent onward transmissions of HIV and to help eliminate all stigma or discrimination. To those who are receiving their reactive diagnosis in the near future, please do not despair. Help is here whenever you need us. Just remember if I can survive for thirty years, you can do even better. Always have Hope and Be Strong. You will survive this.
