Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Camagüey, October 9 - In Camagüey, care for people living with HIV/AIDS transcends the simple fulfillment of clinical protocols and becomes an act of love and solidarity. Leading this humanitarian work is Dr. Miguel Obedience Tan, a specialist in Comprehensive General Medicine and municipal coordinator of the program, who embodies the dedication of numerous professionals committed to this cause. His work is the heart of a system that tirelessly strives to ensure that no one is excluded or neglected.
The day begins at dawn. In the care room of the Previsora ??Polyclinic in Camagüey, the walls have been silent witnesses to stories filled with doubt and sometimes fear. Miguel doesn’t just arrive in his gown and knowledge; he carries a backpack full of patience, active listening, coordination with social services and constant monitoring of treatments and their possible side effects. "We don’t just treat an infection, we treat a life," is his unwritten motto. Therefore, each appointment becomes a deep conversation to understand fears, customs and realities.
Since 2003, Obedience Tan has witnessed a true therapeutic revolution. Today's antiretrovirals are very different from those of two decades ago: they are more potent, better tolerated, with regimens simplified to one or two pills a day, and with significantly fewer side effects. This has transformed HIV infection from a death sentence to a manageable life condition, bringing it closer to normality.
A central objective of each appointment is to achieve an undetectable viral load. This means that the amount of virus in the blood is so low that it cannot be detected. The importance of this is twofold: it protects the patient's immune system and, crucially, virtually eliminates the risk of sexual transmission. This achievement not only represents a medical advance, but also a passport to a life without the constant fear of infecting others. For Miguel, the true victory is that each person leaves the appointment confident that they can enjoy life with fewer obstacles, accompanied by their medication and confidence.
But Obedience Tan's work is not limited to a medical consultation. It is part of a support network built with discipline and commitment. It organizes workshops to promote adherence to treatment and is dedicated to ongoing prevention education. "The fight against HIV is not only medical; it is also social and cultural," he says, aware that stigma is an enemy as difficult to defeat as the virus itself.
Living with HIV in 2025 means, above all, living with dignity. This means having accurate information and a health system that supports patients at every stage, guaranteeing access to testing, treatment, and psychosocial follow-up that strengthens their resilience.
Prevention has also advanced. For those at high risk of exposure, there is Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill that, when taken consistently, offers high protection. Additionally, in cases of accidental exposure, there is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), a 28-day treatment that should preferably be started within 72 hours of the risk. These modern tools are effective shields in a battle waged on multiple fronts.
The practical advice in Camagüey is clear: promote community education to eliminate the stigma associated with HIV. It is essential to guarantee universal access to testing, strengthen support networks, and promote adherence to treatment through reminders and close support. Every person who manages to stay healthy and with their viral load suppressed is a testament to the success of this model of care.
As evening falls, Miguel looks out from his office window at the city pulsing outside. He knows that his struggle is a silent one, waged in doctors' offices and homes, with pills and words of encouragement. Al caer la tarde, Miguel observa desde la ventana de su consulta la ciudad que late afuera. Sabe que su lucha es silenciosa, librada en consultorios y hogares, con pastillas y palabras de aliento. Pero cada historia de superación, cada vida recuperada y normalizada, confirma que en Camagüey, la atención al VIH es, en esencia, una labor de entrega y profunda solidaridad humana. (Text by: Maykel Torres La Rosa/Radio Cadena Agramonte) (Photos: By the author and courtesy of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit (Prosalud) in Camagüey)
