General Director of the Moldovan public association “Initiativa Positiva“ Ruslan Poverga has long and unconditional faith in evidence-based medicine. This, in particular, ARV therapy, helps Ruslan to live a full and rich life despite his positive HIV status. It is why, when the COVID vaccine appeared in Moldova, Ruslan and other HIV activists were among the first to promote vaccination. Read more in the interview with VirusOff.
Ruslan, I know that you and your entire team were vaccinated against COVID during the second stage, when social workers, police officers, etc. were vaccinated. Why did you decide to do it as quickly as possible?
The first reason is that we are almost like doctors – we are on the first line because we are in direct contact with our clients. Therefore, we did not want to risk ourselves or endanger the health of others. The second reason is that we are working to shape public opinion, which means we must lead by example. Therefore, as soon as the authorities announced the beginning of the second stage, we drew up an open letter, sent it to the Ministry of Health, and received the green light for vaccination.
How did you get the vaccine, and was there any fear?
Of course, I analyzed the situation, weighed all the pros and cons, talked with the doctors. I’m not just a banal optimist; I understand that, most likely, over time, vaccines will be of better quality, and, perhaps, those who are vaccinated in the future will be better protected. But at that time, I realized that it would be better for me to get vaccinated with what is available (especially in Moldova, there is a relatively good choice of vaccines) and suffer several days of adverse reactions than to put myself and my team at risk. We see how high the mortality rate is; why put your life at risk?
In Moldova, the vaccination level is frankly not the highest; the figure barely reaches 30%. Why is it so, do you think?
First, as in all countries, we have “anti-vaccinators” who are difficult to convince. Let’s not waste time on them. The second reason is the strong influence of social media. Our people believe everything they see on the Internet, which is a big problem. Because now many “specialists” in all areas have spread on the Internet, everyone who is not lazy considers it essential to speak out on this or that occasion. Naturally, against the background of all this, there is such a collapse that we have. We need a more thoughtful, unobtrusive information campaign from the authorities’ side. I think that time will put everything in its place.
Have your loved ones got coronavirus?
We all got sick. It happened so that we went with our family for a party, and left with “gifts,” that is, with COVID-19. My parents, my girlfriend, my brother and wife, my little son, and I all caught the virus in the end.
Was this before vaccination?
Yes. The son overcame the virus most easily, it is evident that he had a slight fever, but in general, everything went without incident. It was more difficult for my girlfriend; she could not take any medications while breastfeeding her son. Most of all, I worried about my dad and mom. But the worst was me. I had a terrible physical and emotional state for almost two weeks. It was hell. In those moments, I recalled myself in my youth: I am a drug user, and I urgently need a dose, but there is no any. Feelings are almost the same. And most importantly, the thought does not leave you that you will die in a while. It was a nightmare; now, I don’t want to be so sick anymore.
Now, after an illness, how do you react when you hear talk about a virus that supposedly does not exist? Aren’t you angry?
Life shows that any aggression or obsessive pressure causes a reverse reaction. So I just ignore it. On the other hand, when I have the opportunity and when people ask for my opinion, I always say that vaccination is a natural way to protect myself and stop the epidemic. While doctors and scientists create and prove the effectiveness of vaccines, conspiracy theories are born and thrive on empty and unverified information. But our lives are important not only for us but also for our loved ones. In addition, if Moldova received the first doses of the vaccine in the form of humanitarian aid, now the Ministry of Health allocates money to purchase vaccines from the budget, which we, the taxpayers, provide. So why not take the opportunity and get vaccinated?
The number of fully vaccinated citizens of Moldova, in percentage (constantly updated):
I agree. How has the pandemic changed the work of the organization you lead?
We have done our best to ensure the most sparing schedule and unload the office. Providing access to services while working from home has proven the most challenging. But we made it. Our mobile clinic worked; we delivered ARV therapy to homes, provided harm reduction services, counseling went online. Frankly, of course, this is not the work format that should be. Now we are preparing ourselves more thoroughly for the future – we are developing mobile applications, chatbots, virtual social workers, and other tools. I am sure that this will allow us to survive all the successive waves fully armed.
Has the pandemic taught you anything?
You know, we once again saw that when necessary, everything becomes possible. During the pandemic, we had serious successes with the Ministry of Health in the formation of transparency in procurement in the field of data openness. For the first time, the team that coordinates the work of the National HIV/AIDS Prevention Program saw us as partners who, for example, can be entrusted with the distribution of ARV therapy. It tells a lot. It turns out that everything is possible if you present the correct arguments and the circumstances force you. This taught us to be more persistent, more reasoned in the future.
Listen, your son was born at the very beginning of the pandemic. Is that right? Was it real happiness?
Yes, here, of course, no questions asked. But because of the pandemic, the plan I promised my girlfriend didn’t come true: I was going to be next to her in the hospital. That is, I promised, but somewhere out there, I understood that I was still in doubt. But, I think, OK, what can’t you do for the sake of your beloved. So we went to the hospital, had already entered the department, and the nurse said to me: “Do you understand that if you enter, you will not get out all these three days? And if you go out, you will not get in. You have to decide now whether you are staying or leaving.” Then, in Moldova, the first cases were registered, and there were severe restrictive measures everywhere, especially in hospitals. In general, they gave me three minutes to decide. And then my girlfriend turns to me and says: “Ruslan, you cannot spend three days here. Otherwise, I will have to care for two children here. You better go home” (laughs). And the most exciting thing was when I went to pick up my girlfriend and my son. I thought everything would be beautiful, like in the movies – balloons, flowers, a holiday. But because of COVID-19, they had to go through an emergency exit, plus a distance, masks, gloves; everyone around was afraid. It looked like a bombing was about to start, and I had to free the girl and child from captivity (we both laugh).
Overall, your son was born at a fantastic time. Do you think it will be different?
Of course, children are generally different from us. Directly very strong. But how much we will understand this in many years.
Are you a happy father today?
I have always been a happy father. Maybe not always good, but definitely happy.
Text: Elena Derzhanskaya
A series of materials created supported by UNAIDS
