Meet the 2019 Healthcare Provider Champions - Brazil
Carlos Alberto Pereira nominated Maria Izabel do Nascimento Lôbo for:
Her warmth in welcoming and affectionately tending to me at the facility, and other men who have sex with men. Besides being a wonderful and efficient professional, Izabel manages to turn a medical appointment into a meeting of friends. Her charisma and happiness are contagious, be it to someone who has a consultation with a doctor or someone who needs to sort an administrative issue. She was the first person I talked to when I went to the clinic and found out I was HIV positive. She received me in such a special way that I felt my energy multiply and was left strengthened. For these reasons, I nominated Izabel.
Maria Izabel do Nascimento Lôbo: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…
I treat all patients with respect and affection, whatever their sex, race or social class is. I attend to everyone equally and free of any prejudices.
I needed to change the way I welcome them to the service, since each patient is a different individual. Each one has a worldview, a way of thinking and a different quality of life. That is why I tend to each one, with an individual approach and free of judgment.
The world out there tries to place a label and a value on everyone. I believe that we need to embrace each other as human beings. We should be seeking to understand how people living with HIV see themselves in life, then be supportive and provide information so that they can make informed decisions. Such an approach is way more productive and respectful. As for me, I will always be there for support.
Pablo nominated Andrezza de Vasconcelos for:
Receiving good treatment at the facility for almost five years. When I first arrived, Dr. Andrezza welcomed me in a very different manner. She simply asked how I was feeling, without judgment. And she informed me that I could always count on her. Even if sometimes I do not do the things she asks me to, she never judges. HIV-related stigma is very high in Recife. Hence, it is necessary to fight against prejudice to enable people to open up and talk about it with friends and family.
Andrezza de Vasconcelos: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…
Welcoming clients at the facility must be done with care. It is important that we treat clients with dignity, respect and affection. These clients already feel social stigma, prejudice and non-acceptance. Therefore, if they get to the health facility, and find additional barriers, it will be more difficult for them to accept treatment. A smile on your face upon their arrival, a handshake and a hug can make all the difference.
José Cândido da Silva nominated Monica Maria Moreira Campos for:
The way she cares for patients and specifically me. She is an angel in my life. Since I found out that I was HIV positive, my viral load has remained undetectable, thanks to her care. Also, thanks to her, I was able to overcome the stigma and prejudice barriers we face in society.
Monica Maria Moreira Campos: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…
There is still a lot of stigma, fear and prejudice in relation to HIV. José was one of the first patients that I started working with in 1999.
When a client upon their diagnosis arrives in my office, one can see that they come with a very heavy emotional burden. I try to disassociate it and make them forget the illness and make them feel sheltered. I work with clients to remove the idea of fear, fear of treatment and of taking medication. I do everything with great responsibility and with much love, and thus it is gratifying for me to be recognized for it through this campaign.
Julien nominated Luciene Milet da Silva for:
Always treating me well: she is always available, with a smile on her face. She is always there for me as well as her other clients! She is always showing empathy. Acceptance is very complicated for people living with HIV. Positive reception at a healthcare facility can help people living with HIV feel accepted and this can improve our healthcare.
Luciene Milet da Silva: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…
Regardless of one’s sexual orientation or HIV status, all patients need respectful treatment, and to feel welcomed. There is still a lot of prejudice against people living with HIV through as a result of societal labelling. Consequently due to fear of stigma, many people living with HIV prefer to keep to themselves. What is worse is that they do not have family support which they can count on. Thus, during the last fifteen years, everything I do is to support people living with HIV. I indeed try to help as much as I can. They need people to talk to; they need emotional support. Being nominated is very rewarding. It means I am doing my job well and I hope to continue this way.