JEDDAH, 14 March 2005 — Rami, a 28-year-old Saudi university student, has been suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) for the past 20 years. He contracted the disease not from any illegal sexual activity but from a transfusion of contaminated blood.
Rami, who wants to study in Cairo, intends to establish a society for the friends of patients suffering from chronic diseases such as AIDS. “I believe that such a society is essential in order to enhance public awareness of diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. People must be educated so they can combat such diseases.”
Rami said the society will provide the latest information to patients and to the public on the treatment of these diseases. “I will like it to be headed by the governor of Makkah. The society will hold educational and cultural exhibitions and create a suitable atmosphere for the rehabilitation of patients in society,” he added.
Rami’s is an amazing story. He has been suffering from hemophilia since birth; this means that small cuts and minor injuries cause serious internal and external bleeding. His brother also suffers from the same disease and when Rami was eight, both boys were taken to the military hospital in Jeddah to be circumcised. Naturally there was bleeding and the doctors gave them both a transfusion. “Luckily my brother got uncontaminated blood while I got blood contaminated by the HIV virus,” he said.
Rami learned that he was HIV positive a year later when he went to a dental clinic for a minor operation. The doctors did a routine blood test and found that he was HIV positive. “I had a great shock when the doctors told me that I was suffering from a dangerous disease,” he pointed out. Doctors at the time predicted he would live only two years at the most; however, as a result of his determination and faith in God, Rami has been able to beat the disease and live a normal life. “I work as if I will live for ever and I deal with people as any person would whose health is good.”
Rami said he had had some bad experiences with some of his relatives and friends. One refused to eat with him despite the fact that AIDS can be transmitted only through blood transfusions or sexual contact. Rami said many hospitals invented reasons for denying him treatment. One hospital even refused to provide him with an ambulance.
There are only a few hospitals in the Kingdom which treat HIV positive patients; among them are the Military Hospital in Hada and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh. Rami has asked the authorities to increase the number of such hospitals.
“Hospitals, which do not have adequate facilities, must transfer patients to specialized hospitals and provide them with ambulance services and those institutions which do not do so must be punished,” he said, urging measures to end bureaucratic practices.
Asked whether he had suffered any depression because of the disease, he answered in the negative. “I’ve never looked back. I have strong faith in God, the Most Benevolent and Most Beneficent. I believe that God loves me. He punished me in this world in order to purify me. I am sure He will reserve a place for me in Paradise where there will no disease or fear,” he said.
Asked how he had been able to live with the disease for the past 20 years, Rami said apart from his will power, he takes 13 different types of medicine every day which help in reducing immune deficiency. “I also keep up with the latest research in the field and consult doctors regularly,” he said.
He praised Dr. Hisham Flimban, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Rajhi and Munira Al-Dahham for their good will and humanity in dealing with him. Such doctors with big hearts can bring hope and happiness to patients, he pointed out.
Asked why he had decided to tell his story and publish his name, he answered, “Because I asked myself what I was afraid of. Bad treatment or informing society? I want to tell the world that I got this disease as a result of ignorance about methods of infection. In order to do this, I have to publish my name. I don’t want to disclose my family name because I don’t want to infringe upon their privacy. What I am trying to do is ask for the rights of all patients suffering from this and other contagious diseases.”
He said a person with AIDS could marry and have children but that it required medical supervision. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital assists with such marriages and follows them up in every stage.
“Frankly, I am now thinking of marriage,” Rami said.
