The story of a 9-year-old female student in Surabaya’s fight against late-stage HIV

F (9), a girl in Mojo Village, Surabaya, experienced an unfortunate fate. The grade 2 primary school student was diagnosed with late-stage HIV.

It is known that F lives with his older brother D (14), Dani’s father Ari Prabowo (35), grandmother Kanipah (57) and grandfather Harijono (65). The girl was under the care of her grandmother and her father.

However, currently, he is being treated at Dr Soetomo’s RSU. Because conditions since Monday (22/10) have deteriorated.

Kanipah tells the story of how F was diagnosed with HIV. In 2022, at that time his grandson complained of cough and diarrhea, then he was taken to Husada Utama Hospital and was diagnosed with tuberculosis or TB and one day of treatment he was sent to Dr. Soetomo RSU .

While receiving treatment at Dr Soetomo General Hospital, F was diagnosed with early stage HIV. Then outpatient TB treatment for 6 months along with HIV.

“Treatment took 6 months and then he was dropped. Then the second hospital went directly to RSU Dr. Soetomo in 2023, he was pale, he had a fungus in his mouth, he was treated for 2 weeks,” said Kanipah when he met with detikJatim at his home, Tuesday (22/10/2024).

After the second hospitalization, F was able to perform normal activities. Such as school, reciting the Koran, and playing with peers.

However, the girl’s body suddenly collapsed again. Finally, in September 2024, he was rushed to Dr. Soetomo’s RSU and underwent intensive treatment for 3 weeks and was allowed to go home on September 25.

On the third medical treatment, it was announced that F had the last level of HIV in his body. His weight also dropped significantly, from 21 kg to 12.4 kg until he was declared malnourished.

The day after he returned from Dr Soetomo’s RSU, F experienced a skin infection, namely herpes on the thigh.

“He said it attacks the skin in the last stage. His aunt went to the puskesmas. He was treated with the puskesmas and he was given ointment, milk, infusion to clean the wound,” he explained. .

Until now, herpes still exists but it is located on the palms of the hands. F was supposed to undergo control at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, but due to transportation costs, he had to be absent several times.

“He was getting thinner, his mouth started getting a lot of fungus, he felt nauseous when he was fed to eat, he couldn’t eat rice. He survived because of the medicine ,” he said.

Finally, yesterday Monday (22/10) F was brought to Dr Soetomo’s RSU by Lurah Mojo. Because of F’s condition he could no longer walk, because his left knee felt sore and weak.

“His right leg can move, she can stand, hands can. Complains of hot skin, itching, because herpes is coming out. Every night since I came home from the hospital I slept,” he said.

Although he is very ill, F has a great passion for his life. Every night when he could not sleep, he always visited God and prayed for healing.

“F has a great zest for life. He can still be talked to. His IQ was asked, his eyes were also said to be good, his heart, lungs and internal organs are all good. From 25th September came he home until yesterday without fever,” he explained.

“Every night of wiridan, he prays, reads Al-Fatihah, short letters, carries prayer beads,” he concluded.

(abq/iwd)