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HIV-Positive Pioneer Commits Suicide

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The Namibian (Windhoek)

April 3, 2003
Posted to the web April 3, 2003

Christof Maletsky
 

A YOUNG HIV-positive mother, who made her status public to try and help remove the stigma faced by those who are infected, committed suicide because she could no longer cope with discrimination.

Ultrika Alexandrine Uiras and her husband Hans came out in October 1999 and were the first HIV-positive couple to get married publicly in Namibia.

They wanted to show Namibians what it meant to live positively with HIV-AIDS.

However, recent increased insults from fellow Namibians coupled with the daily challenges posed by the disease became too much.

Ultrika committed suicide on Independence Day by taking a large amount of different kinds of tablets.

Her husband found her in a coma when he returned from the Independence Day celebrations.

She was rushed to hospital but it was too late.

One of the people closest to the couple was Simon Wilkie who made a documentary film about them.

"Ultrika was a very courageous person although she was in great distress.

She endured incredible suffering because of what she believed in," Wilkie said in response to news of her death.

Although she left no note, Ultrika was known to be depressed about the level of discrimination she faced.

A week before she died Ultrika visited The Namibian's offices to complain about the prejudice she faced, especially from young women in the Goreangab area who teased her whenever they came across her.

She also approached the AIDS Law Unit at the Legal Assistance Centre for legal advice.

Hans said Lironga Eparu, an organisation fighting for the rights of HIV-positive Namibians, was assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

She will be laid to rest at the Oponganda Cemetery on Saturday.

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