“She told me that I had hepatitis B, but I was a lot relieved because I expected something worse. It could have been HIV. In Africa it was as a death sentence.”
Symptoms cannot exist with hepatitis B
He admits that it was a blessing to have it discovered because he didn’t know something was wrong. He had not experienced any symptoms that often do not appear until liver damage gets worse. The doctor advised him to prevent alcohol and to ensure that he attends the regular monitoring agreements. He did that, and then a later ultrasound that revealed liver injuries, his doctor prescribed medication.
It worked well for a number of years, until one of the side effects of the drug – broken bone density – the need to be moved to another antiviral medication. This has remained effective. With chronic hepatitis B, he explains: “Once they have brought you medication, it is long -term. I cannot stop the medication.”
Return to the community after diagnosis
Biniam is no stranger to adversity. He fled Eritrea torn by war when he was 29 and avoided the compulsory military education and services that was forbidden by his religion. He went to Sudan for refuge with two younger cousins. They joined a growing Eritrean refugee community with a school where he taught subjects such as science (Biniam was a marine biologist). And finally, after waiting and hoping for 11 years, his sponsorship came through the federal government of Canada for resettlement and he was flown to Calgary. He is now 55 and enjoys quieter days at home with his wife and two boys.
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