Meet Sarah Muthoni, a Kenyan Teacher Battling HIV, Cancer and COVID-19 Simultaneously

A 47-year-old Kenyan teacher has opened up about her battle with three deadly diseases— HIV/AIDS, cancer, and COVID-19.

Sarah Muthoni, an English and Literature teacher at Afraha High School in Nakuru, says she has been living with HIV/AIDS for the last 23 years. 

She discovered she had HIV after the demise of her husband in 1997, a time when stigmatization was the biggest barrier in the fight against the viral infection.

Two years later, Muthoni developed an infection on her anal area, with doctors recommending surgery to remove pus that had formed in the area.

She underwent 27 surgeries to remove warts from her anal area and the problem disappeared for years but in 2011, warts resurfaced in the area and on her right labia. 

This prompted her to go back to the surgeon, who conducted a series of tests, with results showing that she had cancer cells.

“Shocked, I decided not to undergo chemotherapy because I feared the effects of the procedure, based on what I had heard many people say.”

“A surgery was conducted to remove warts, and a subsequent test indicated that I was cancer-free. I celebrated, but much later in 2013, warts recurred on my left labia. A subsequent cancer test indicated that I had the disease.”

“I completed my chemotherapy on December 18, 2020, though tests indicate I am not free of cancer yet,” said Muthoni.

In December 2020, Muthoni was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was admitted to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital for seven days. On the first day of admission, she was put on oxygen support.

She suspects that she contracted the virus during her frequent visits to the hospital for chemotherapy sessions.

“It started as a mere cold, I ignored it because I thought it would go. At some point, I lost a sense of taste. I could not imagine that I have contracted COVID because most of the time I was indoors,” she said.

“Now, I can tell a story about COVID-19. The earlier you get the test, the better for your treatment.” 

Despite all the harrowing experiences, Muthoni says she is determined to enjoy every moment of her life.

“My adult daughter has been of great importance in my journey of fighting the diseases,” said Muthoni.

The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and a teachers’ insurance scheme came in handy in footing her medical bills.