Clinic urges community to learn their HIV status

Health promoter Fulufhelo Mudau says after 30 years since the virus was first discovered, people are still reluctant and scared of being tested.

December 9, 2019

Sharon Mdaka 1 minute read

Health Committee Ward 77 member Johanna Blose, health promoter Fulufhelo Mudau, data capturer Nomaswati Lunga Nkosi, acting facility manager Sithembile Mapanga, chairperson of Hlasempho Community Development Projects Martha Ntshona and HIV counsellor Promise Kubheka.

KwaThema – Patients were treated to chocolate by health promoters at the Selope Clinic in celebration of World Aids Day on December 2.

The event was held in partnership with Hlasempho Community Development Projects.

The aim of the event was to urge residents to prioritise knowing their HIV status, to remember those who died of the virus,to educate residents about HIV/Aids and to motivate those who are living with the virus.

Dudu Leeuw: “With treatment now being available and easily accessible, I think people do not have to be scared any more of knowing their status as it is the only way we can get the help we need.”

Health promoter Fulufhelo Mudau says after 30 years since the virus was first discovered, people are still reluctant and scared of being tested.

“We might not all be infected, but we are definitely affected.

“People do not want to get tested, which is the most important first step.

“Getting tested and knowing your status shows that you are taking responsibility for your own life because, unlike many years ago, we now have effective treatment which really works in suppressing the virus,” says Mudau.

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She says one major factor that is slowly killing the nation is the stigma associated with the disease.

Nomaswati Lunga Nkosi, a data capturer, says: “Stats show that 7.7 million South Africans are living with HIV/Aids.

“Five years ago the government implemented a 90 per cent strategy in trying to win against this virus, which stated that 90 per cent of citizens must get tested and must immediately be placed on treatment.

“Unfortunately, in our database we have a record of 10 per cent from January to October, and out of this percentage 7 per cent were found to be positive.

Portia Maloma: “Celebrating World Aids Day is important because it reminds people that they need to get tested and know their status and it is a day on which we remember those who died because of the disease.”

“This is alarming and a cause for concern.

“Therefore, such days are very important because they enable us to have a one-on-one with the community.”

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Residents were taught about healthy living and eating healthily, the importance of testing and having a support structure.

Chairperson of Hlasempho Community Development Projects, Martha Ntshona, says: “Our job is to educate patients living with HIV/Aids and other non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, and teach them about the importance of eating healthily and following a balanced nutritional diet.”

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