in Cuba

TRANSCRIPT:

My name is Salastiel. I was a blood donor and they detected the HIV virus in my blood in 1994, but I did not undergo any sort of treatment and did not suffer from any of the symptoms associated with HIV. However, at the end of 1998, they detected that I had a low (CD4) cell load and confirmed that I was suffering from AIDS, although I had not suffered an opportunistic disease. I had to go through two types of treatment and then started to receive “AZT and DDI treatment.  The Global Fund provided much support to us and I was able to receive treatment with Caletra, one of the latest drugs produced. So three years ago I started with Tefonovir, CaletraandAbacavir. It is called the “Millionaire’s Therapy” since it is very expensive. We do not have the raw materials to produce it in our country. I think it costs more than 19 thousand dollars and I know that not everyone can have access to it.

This helped me a lot, it increased the white blood cells in my immune system, and despite the fact that my body had grown resistant to all other drugs and that I had never suffered from an opportunistic disease. I have never suffered from a lung disease or infection, my organs are healthy, I do not suffer from colds or throat infections, headaches, etc. Fortunately, I also do not suffer from additional diseases or infections. Everybody knows that there are many diseases associated with AIDS but I am fortunate enough to be very healthy and this has probably helped me resist during such a long time, even though the drugs have helped me a lot.

Thanks to the support received I have been able to live longer, my appetite has increased, and I'm in very high spirits. I would like to say thanks on behalf of my people, my country, my government and myself.