Trending ‘Geu’ video worsens HIV stigma – activist
The video is a reminder that HIV/AIDS kills - social commentators
A trending video on social media, dubbed ‘Geu’ has not only gone viral but also pitted social commentators against HIV activist on the question of stigma.
In the video, a sickly looking scrawny young man is seen lying on a hospital bed struggling to even sit up, and weakly calls out: “Geu… geu… a o ntletse geu?” (Did you bring me ‘Geu’)?
The man is seemingly trying to say ‘mageu’ but because he is weak, he struggles to say the word out in full.
Since it began trending on social media, the video started a storm in a tea cup. Those who support it said it would send out a strong message to those who think it is ‘cool’ to have unprotected sex and sleep with multiple concurrent partners, that HIV is real and doesn’t affect or infect certain people, but anyone can get it.
Nonofo Kamoka stated that the video doesn’t stigmatise anyone, but rather sends out a positive message. He said nowadays people use social media a lot and a video such as that one uses a humorous manner to send out an important message because HIV/AIDS is still taken lightly.
“It is great advice because HIV/AIDS is real. I believe that one can avoid being infected by HIV. We have been given information
on how to protect ourselves, so why should we allow ourselves to get to the Geu stage, when we can avoid it? There is so much knowledge on HIV out there: from prevention to treatment”.
HIV/AIDS activist Pako Botsapoo expressed disappointment about the video saying it worsens stigma.
“It is a major drawback in efforts to de-stigmatise HIV/AIDS. It is sad to see how people make discriminatory jokes about people who are already affected by HIV in the name of trying to send out a message to people.
“There are Batswana out there who still find it hard to accept their status, and having to see such jokes has destroyed them emotionally, and some have given up on themselves due to such jokes.
“Making a joke of it makes people think that there is no life after HIV diagnosis, and this hits hard on those who are affected. Seeing images of a coffin and ARVs being circulated means that some Batswana still believe that it is the end of the road for you once you are infected with HIV.
“Testing HIV positive doesn’t mean that one will die soon. I as Pako have been on the sick bed before… I have been weak, and survived with mageu for some months when I was admitted to hospital but I recovered and here I am, strong and healthy”, he said.
Botsapoo said that education on HIV/AIDS should still continue, although not in a discriminatory manner.
“HIV/AIDS is real and I advise people to use a condom when having sex, particularly with someone whose HIV status they do not know.
“There is no laboratory in your eyes, so don’t assume someone is HIV negative when you are not sure, to prevent yourself from possible infection”.
For those who are already living with HIV, I say, continue taking your ARVs and always remember that there is life after HIV diagnosis”.