The Bahraini PLWHIV Youssef has been expelled from the hospital and prevented from receiving treatment as an objection for narrating his story through which he conveyed his complaint to "Al-Belad" newspaper against maltreatment he suffered while being in the hospital.

Severe Deterioration 

Youssef (42 years old) told Al-Belad that one of the medics on duty rebuked him for the interview he made with Al-Belad and published in Saturday's issue. He asked him to pack his things and leave the hospital immediately. Meanwhile, medics refrained from prescribing any treatment for him despite his state of severe deterioration. 

Youssef, who suffers from severe convulsions, symptoms of vomit, cough and a state of extreme fatigue, pointed out that the hospital refused to take any samples from him to check his immunity and the viral load level required for AIDS patients to measuring immunity. However, the hospital ceased to give him treatment to force him to leave. 

Youssef was quoted as saying to Al-Belad: "Yesterday morning, the medic came to me and asked me to pack my things and leave the hospital immediately. When I inquired about the reason for this, he told me literary: (Let the newspaper where you published your story support you). I told him that I suffer from extreme fatigue and that during my four-day stay in the hospital, no examinations were conducted or samples taken from me. He answered, saying: (These are the symptoms of the disease and we can't do anything about that…Didn't you think about AIDS while committing your errors?)". 

Youssef went on to say: "I have been transferred to the hospital five days before I experienced severe deterioration. I was taken to the intensive care for one day before being transferred to wing 51 inside the hospital. While I was there, the medical crew treated me with disdain and I suffered numerous insults to the extent that they were late to change the nurturing fluid fixed in my arms and whenever I called for anyone, they did not respond. Two days ago, a female medic on duty came to rebuke me just because I objected that they do not takes sample required to check my immunity. She told me literary: (I will get the police to expel you). This motivated me to call you after tasting all types of insults and disdain. The result is that I was kicked out and deprived from treatment because I resorted to the press". 

Youssef resumed, saying: "I know that my sickness is serious, but as a human being and citizen, I have the right to treatment and medical care guaranteed by all systems, legislations and laws world-wide. Medics of Al-Salmania shall not predestine death this way just because I am infected with AIDS or because they assume that the life of AIDS patients is worthless". 

A Difficult Choice 

Youssef recalled his memory by saying:" When I discovered that I was infected with the disease four years ago, I had three friends who were drug addicts too. They also discovered their infection with the disease and ended their lives by committing suicide. But I made a completely different choice. I ceased to take drugs and alcohols, resorted to my God and joined "The love of life" group that aims to raise awareness of new patients as to means of dealing with their surrounding. I also participated in workshops on risks of drug addiction. I was trying to make of my disaster a message to all youths so that they see what my life turned into because of drugs. Yes, drugs destroyed my life, but AIDS made me a better person who fully realizes the grace of natural life which I do not want any human being to lose. 

The Hard Alternative 

Youssef, who returned to his home the day before yesterday after being expelled from Al-Salmania, terminated his statement by saying: "Following my experience with Al-Salmania Complex, I think that what AIDS patients face is similar to "mercy killing" which implies ending lives of individuals when they are infected with a disease with no chances of life. This decision is not stipulated by laws and systems in Bahrain, but it is an individual viewpoint of some medics and nurses who see that the AIDS patient has two alternatives: committing suicide or dying at home with no complaint … no pictures … no press". 

"Al-Belad" has interviewed Youssef, the PLWHIV, on 1 December 2009 while celebrating the establishment of "Al-Omam Programme" and participating were senior officials from the Ministry of Health. The Ministry introduced Youssef to the press in his capacity as a PLWHIV. He allowed the press to take some pictures of him and health senior officials attending the celebration asked him to narrate his personal experience with the virus. 

Besides infection with AIDS, Yousssef suffers from Hepatitis "B" and "C", which requires continuous check-ups at the hospital.  

See also: 

About the Complaint of Youssef .. Tamam Abu Safi 

See statistics on the spread of AIDS in Bahrain 

The Initiative of PLWHIV in Arab States