HIV Positive woman shares thoughts on World Aids Day
MIDRAND - World Aids Day is more than just a day to think about people infected with HIV/Aids.
For many South Africans, like Thandi Khanyi, an HIV positive woman who lives in Midrand, the day is a reminder that she is living with HIV/Aids.
Khanyi discovered her HIV status two years ago when she went for a check up. “I had to do a health check for a life cover and when the doctor told me I am HIV positive I thought he had wrong results.
I lived in denial for months.” Khanyi said she is thankful that when she fell pregnant her child did not contract the disease.
Khanyi’s son is HIV negative due to a drug called Nevirapine that is administered to pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Thandi Khanyi is not alone. According to statistics provided by the City of Johannesburg, there are more than five million people living with HIV/Aids in South Africa. The number may be higher, as some people may still feel anxious about testing for HIV. People aged between 15 and 49 years of age make up 15.9 percent of people who are HIV positive.
MMC for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, councillor Nonceba Molwele said, “People must get tested, even if it is not on World Aids Day. Knowing your HIV status may save your life. If you are HIV negative, getting tested for HIV gives you a chance to practice safe sex and stay HIV negative.”
FedHealth principal officer Peter Jordan commented, “To date, Fedhealth has over 2000 beneficiaries who are infected with HIV/Aids. The beneficiaries are registered on the Aid for Aids programme.” Jordan added that HIV is a manageable chronic disease and people must not view it as a death sentence.
