Inter Press Service - December 13, 2000
Abraham Lama

Pimentel moved TV-viewers three years ago when he publicly admitted that he was a homosexual and that he had tested positive for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

"The spectre of death made me freeze up for a moment, but I pulled myself back together and decided to fight, not just for my life, but for that of other sick people, and especially to collaborate in prevention campaigns in favour of the young," he said.

"Unfortunately, my case is atypical, because not only was I not fired from my job, but the public responded by giving me even more support and comprehension, and also because I earn well and I belong to a minority who can afford the medicine needed to keep the disease from advancing," he explained.

"I have to admit that it doesn't make me happy to keep buying coffins and attending dying people, although I will not abandon that task. But I prefer to continue carrying out prevention campaigns among the young," added Pimentel.

The recent testimony of a woman marching on World AIDS Day, commemorated on Dec 1, gives an indication of the extent of the discrimination suffered by HIV-carriers in this South American country.

"Although there is a law against it, my husband, who is dead now, was fired when they found out he was sick. My relatives refused to take us in, my daughter and I, because we are carriers," said the woman, who was marching with her child in her arms and her face covered to conserve her privacy.

Brazilian footballer Eduardo Esidio has also been fighting for his rights in Peru, after he was removed from the University Sports Club professional team in January 1999 when it was discovered that he tested positive for HIV.

Esidio decided to fight the decision, invoking the law that prohibits dismissals on grounds of illness.

The directors of the club argued that his presence in the locker room endangered the rest of the players, and that other teams would refuse to play against them for fear of coming into contact with Esidio.

But the club was forced by the Health Ministry to take the footballer back, and he has been the team's top goal scorer this year and last.

"The spectre of contagion was exorcised," said Eduardo Blume, with the non-governmental organisation 'V a Libre'. "Each time Esidio makes a goal, his teammates hug him, and sometimes they all tackle him. Everyone, including the public, has learned that AIDS is not spread by simple phymost concern are the 23,000 people, mainly sexually active men, who are unaware that they are HIV-carriers, and who have become agents spreading the disease," said epidemiologist Paul Pachas, with the government's Programme for the Control of Sexuout that if an impoverished AIDS patient fails to receive s with the campaign "Breaking the Silence on AIDS".

Peru's health authorities report that there are 45,000 people living with HIV, 11,000 of whom have full-blown AIDS.

But "of most concern are the 23,000 people, mainly sexually active men, who are unaware that they are HIV-carriers, and who have become agents spreading the disease," said epidemiologist Paul Pachas, with the government's Programme for the Control of Sexuout that if an impoverished AIDS patient fails to receive humanitarian assistance, they die rapidly. Treatment to prolong the life of an HIV-carrier costs 25,000 dollars a year in Peru.

The international humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders is carrying out a campaign to lower the cost of treatment.

Some 30,000 people, mainly youngsters, held marches, set up information booths on prevention and assistance mechanisms, and an arts and crafts fair on World AIDS Day in Peru.

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