Meet the 2024 Healthcare Provider Champions - Latin America and the Caribbean

Isaac da Silva nominated Eline Gomes for:

I had a track record of leaving my treatment. With Dr Eline, I redefined my perspective of HIV; she showed me that it represented a new condition of life, not the end of it. Through her humanized care and experience through “contact and improvisation” dancing, I learnt a new meaning to life. Dr Eline Gomes provided me with new exchange conditions: exchange with the world and with life, and finally, to realize that this is what it is – a constant exchange with the environment, with the intra and extracellular. Without a doubt, she deserves recognition.

I started my journey with Dr Eline in 2018. I had an extensive history of leaving treatment. I felt insignificant in previous medical consultations, with automated/robotic stigmas, valuing only the laboratory in the respective care and not person-centred medicine.

In my first consultation with Dr Eline, I was able to perceive the plurality and complexity of the human being, not only in the world of HIV, but as a whole body of systems, valuing myself as an organic system with emotion and thought, in short, like a human being.

At the same time, I saw a professional who was committed and concerned about others. The stigmas, family abandonment and the feeling of rejection – yes, rejection, because when we discover ourselves as having acquired HIV, it seems like the world ends, that the world closes off to us. But then we see HIV serology as a part of us and not as an integral definition of ourselves.

It wasn't just that. During this period, I felt withdrawn, stagnant and afraid of my relationships with others. Dr Eline introduced me to contact and improvisation: a dance that does not depend on others, that has no prior knowledge, that is not fixed, just dynamic. I was able to give new meaning to myself, learning more about myself and about the way of seeing myself and seeing others and my HIV dynamics. Today, I see HIV as a chronic disease and I live with it – not like a monster that scares me every night, but like something that I fight and win every day, thanks to the excellent professional that I had the opportunity to meet.

Eline Gomes: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…

I am an infectious disease specialist. I work as the coordinator of the STIs, HIV and AIDS and viral hepatitis programme in Caruaru-PE and an undergraduate Professor of Medicine at the Federal University of Pernambuco. My training covers various fields, including art, particularly dance and visual arts. I pursued dance, including contact improvisation and Body-Mind Centering® (BMC), and earned a Master’s degree in dance from the UFBA School of Dance. All of this provided me with a different perspective on healthcare, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding and communication.

I chose to specialize in infectious diseases because of the AIDS pandemic. It presents a challenge in caring for people who face fear, stigma and discrimination due to the nature of the disease. Additionally, the clinical complexity of infectious diseases defies science. Providing a service free from discrimination and stigma involves fostering collaboration and empowerment in doctor-patient and person-to-person relationships. It also requires understanding and advocating for the needs and rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

My work is centred around a multidisciplinary team that provides integrated and welcoming care, facilitates access to the care network, and upholds the human right to health. I treat individuals as humans, not just as medical cases, and document their medical records in a way that respects their dignity. I dedicate part of my time to health education, empowering individuals to discuss sexuality and broader life issues comfortably, and providing a space they may not find in other consultations. Confidentiality is always a priority.

In the rural region of Pernambuco, Brazil, eliminating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS is an ongoing effort. It’s a journey that requires persistence and dedication, and I am committed to transforming society and supporting people living with HIV and AIDS in their journey of life and love.

Nicolas nominated Richardson Barroso for:

He is a caring person. Whenever I need him, he is available to listen to me and resolve any questions I may have. He is a person who helps and enjoys doing so. He is considerate and really tries to help.

I only had one day of medication for my treatment and I was unable to get more medication because I was unable to afford to go there as it is very far from where I live. This person decided to pick it up for me and bring it to my home so that I wouldn't be without my medication and it wouldn't interfere with my treatment.

He is the best. He helps me often. He schedules my visits to my doctors and schedules my exams, as well as my husband's. Whenever I have questions, he helps me and talks to me. He instructs me very well, even more than my doctor, explaining any doubts I have, and not to mention that he is always willing to help me with my medication. As I live far away from where I get medication, he always says that if I can't go, he can come and bring it to me, as he did recently. He helped me reschedule my CD4 exams, which I couldn't attend, as I had a virus. As I couldn't go to the location, I spoke to him on my cell phone. He made a new appointment for a new date. And for this reason, I think he is an excellent healthcare professional.

Richardson Barroso: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…

I am a clinical psychologist by training. We understand that being diagnosed with HIV is a very difficult and decisive moment in people's lives. Most of the time, this diagnosis is accompanied by a huge emotional burden. The fear of treatment, people's prejudice, the shadow of having their diagnosis discovered by friends, family, and so on.

As part of the AHF Brasil project team in Pernambuco, we believe that we are on the right path, promoting a welcoming environment free of discrimination and stigma, where we put ourselves in the other's shoes, devoid of personal values ​​and prejudices, an empathetic, human and non-mechanized welcome. This is so that people living with HIV feel welcomed and listened to, and understand their diagnosis and the importance of self-care and adherence to treatment.

* To protect the identity of the nominator, a pseudonym is used.

Lucas nominated Patricia Holanda for:

She is a wonderful person. She asks without prejudice and she responds without any stigma. She is always a very helpful person and willing to help.

Patrícia is a professional and, from the beginning, she protected me from the prejudices of professionals in the health system itself, doing everything she could to ensure that my diagnosis reached as few people as possible and passed it straight to the doctor.

Here’s a practical example: the health service where I am treated is in a city more than 100km from here. There is an infectious disease specialist in the city where I get the medicine, which is 40km away, but the appointment system still goes through the municipal centre, which would mean my diagnosis would be exposed to a large number of people until I reach the doctor.

Patrícia does her best to ensure that the marking goes through her alone, without having to do all this triangulation. She is a very empathetic and human professional, who really welcomes us.

Patrícia Maria Vale de Holanda: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…

I am a social worker and specialist in policy management of STIs, AIDS, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis from UFRN (Rio Grande do Norte Federal University). For 10 years, I have been in a coordination position in the 9th Regional Health Management in the technical area of STIs, HIV, AIDS and viral hepatitis and at a medicine dispensing unit for people living with HIV and AIDS.

From my point of view, to be welcomed and advised is fundamental for service users to adhere to treatment. It is important to develop awareness about the health and disease process, explaining concepts regarding viral load, CD and CD8, and the main one, the concept of U=U. 

Breaking the stigma surrounding HIV is fundamental, so that people living with HIV feel welcome and we remove the degrading vision that society and the media transmitted since the 1980s during the HIV and AIDS epidemic. We have to reinforce the support network, mainly the families of these service users, making them feel welcome. We have to demystify treatment and medication, which today is presented in a simple way most of the time.

We have to search within the regional and state networks for the assistance and support that the service user needs to be referred to. And we must offer technical, theoretical and methodological support to the professionals who make up the network to welcome the user, safeguarding humanization, confidentiality and ethics regarding the user's image.

This is what a service free of discrimination and stigma looks like, walking with the user of the network, seeking to minimize the bureaucratization of the service.

* To protect the identity of the nominator, a pseudonym is used.

Rafael nominated Andréa Araújo for:

Andréa is kind, attentive and humane in her service. She gives me a smile during the nursing appointment. She is a good representative of the local service where she works.

When I arrived at the health service, I was afraid of being recognized because I work in the health sector here in João Pessoa. I previously lived in Recife and I asked for my medical records to be transferred here. As soon as I arrived, she welcomed me for a nursing consultation. I told her about my fear and she, with impressive simplicity and charisma, welcomed me and guided me not to let this issue get me down.

Andréa treats people in a humane, attentive, calm and centred way – not only with me, but also with other people. She also knows how to get our attention when we are not following her or the doctor's instructions. I always prefer to be attended by her and I don't give up on this profession.

Andréa Carla Almeida de Araújo: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…

I am a nurse. I graduated in 2008 from Faculdade Santa Emília de Rodat and did postgraduate specialization in several areas: urgency and emergency, cardiovascular nursing, family health, oncology, and women's health.

I have 15 years of experience providing care as a nurse. I worked for seven years in a maternity hospital in the Municipality of João Pessoa, for five years as Coordinator of the Kangaroo Care sector (premature babies), and for six years in primary care. Since March 2019, I have been working at the SAE/CTA of João Pessoa - PB.

Stigma and discrimination are among the main obstacles to HIV prevention, treatment and care. Therefore, as a health professional, I seek to emphasize the importance of combating this through information, showing the positive aspects in relation to HIV, seeking to make a transparent reflection on our beliefs and attitudes, identifying their own prejudices and working actively to deconstruct them.

I am always open to dialogue, listening and providing comprehensive assistance through a holistic vision, thus creating a bond between professional and user. In this way, I create a relationship of empathy and trust with a welcome without discrimination. This facilitates adherence to treatment, preventing the transmission of HIV and the progression to AIDS, thus reducing the transmission chain.

* To protect the identity of the nominator, a pseudonym is used.

Carlos Batalla: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…

There are still barriers standing in the way of equality. Stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV are a constant reminder that there is still much work to be done.

I am doing the right thing because I believe that all people, regardless of HIV status, deserve respect, dignity and love. HIV does not define a person; their worth and dignity should not be measured by their medical status.

I inform and educate myself about HIV to break the myths and misbeliefs that perpetuate discrimination. I listen to the stories of people living with HIV to better understand their struggles and achievements.

I am an ally to people living with HIV, supporting their struggles and advocating for their rights. I create an inclusive and respectful environment where all people feel valued and respected.

Yuliana Lopez Bueno: I am #DoingTheRightThing because…

In 2024, stigma against people living with HIV shouldn’t exist. Science has made it possible for people living with HIV to live healthy, normal lifestyles; then why should healthcare be a barrier for them?

I believe in equality for everybody. Given my position in training new healthcare professionals, it is my duty to break the pattern of stigma and educate them to create a new generation of healthcare professionals with a strong stigma-free foundation. I feel like they’re my best investment. If at least one of these new healthcare professionals changes the way they see HIV, my goal is achieved.

I am deeply motivated when I meet a new client who comes to me in a critical state, both physically and mentally – when they are in a place where they have lost their well-being, not only because of how they feel but also how other people make them feel – and I am able to spin their life around and give them back their well-being. That feeds my soul. The ultimate payment for all my efforts is when I see somebody come into my clinic in a wheelchair, and six months later, I see them with coloured hair and chubby cheeks and full of life.

I strongly believe people shouldn’t die of AIDS-related causes because we have good treatment. People die because of stigma and discrimination.