Will the Patel sisters move to healthier pastures
Despite their efforts to secure a world free from discrimination, the sisters have found themselves facing the dilemma of not having access to their medication.
The names Haseena and Shameema Patel are synonymous with equal rights, as the siblings spearhead the Leave No Girl Behind International (LNGBI) organisation.
Despite their efforts to secure a world free from discrimination, the sisters have found themselves facing the dilemma of not having access to their medication.
“For the past nine years, we have been getting our bio-identical hormones and supplements from America. These medicines have a made a huge difference in our lives, especially for Shameema,” said Haseena.
Shameema was diagnosed with Lupus when she was 16 years old. Because she could not obtain the necessary medication in South Africa, it was sourced and imported from America.
“We need a permit to transport the medication, which has been fine until now, when we were suddenly denied,” Haseena said.
With their medication supply coming to an end, the sisters are anxiously trying to resolve the matter,
“99 per cent of people can go to the pharmacy, but I don’t have that luxury. If I cannot have my medication imported to me, what can I do? I need it to lead a normal life and continue doing things such as LNGBI,” Shameema said.
While there are medicines in South Africa similar to what they are using, the sisters are both allergic to gluten and dairy products and unable to use medicines available.
“We need our medication to be made in a gluten free environment, which we cannot be assured of in South Africa,” said Haseena.
The sisters have even gone as far as contacting the Parliamentary Liaison Officer at the national Department of Health, seeking assistance in securing permission to have their medication imported, but have not found any joy.
Facing an uncertain future, the sisters are now considering emigrating to America as a last resort..
“The medication is available freely there, as well as in any other first world country,” Haseena said.
The National Department of Health was contacted for comment why the medication has been denied and what steps the sisters could take, but, none was forthcoming at the time of publication.
