The "New" Plague

Despite its reputation (compared to the rest of the continent) as 'developed', South Africa has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world. HIV/AIDS is easily the main cause of death in here, with one study I recently read stating that around 1000 people a day die from it. This same study put the HIV/AIDS rate at around 10% of the whole population- around 4 million people!

HIV affects Refilwe in many ways. Back in the early 90s, in its early days and right up until just a few years ago, one of Refilwe's main projects was a hospice for dying HIV/AIDS patients. More than a couple of the Refilwe children's parents passed away at that hospice. A sad reality is that many pregnant mothers pass the virus on to their newborn babies and with almost 30% of all pregnant women in SA being HIV+, this reality hits close to home for several at Refilwe.

As I mentioned in my last blog post, Refilwe's current main work with HIV/AIDS is through the Voluntary Counseling and Testing program (VCT), a government initiative funded by an American Aid organisation. With the prevalence of HIV, the first aim of the program is to counsel individuals who may or may not have been infected with the virus, giving important information and options for each person. The individual then has a choice to be tested for HIV and the Home Based Care team must then follow up to ensure the appropriate health care steps are taken should the results be positive.

Despite the prevalence and immediate risk faced, many communities and individuals remain indifferent or uneducated about the causes of HIV. In a culture where sexual fidelity is not always the norm, there is a real danger that the virus is unwittingly spread to those who are not even aware of their partner's "status". Refilwe's Home Based Care team also works to provide clear and basic education for the communities, outlining the risks and suggesting alternatives to unsafe sex. Their education also focuses on pregnant mothers, teaching strategies for avoiding transmission of the virus. 

With all the Swine Flu panic that has swept the globe, we have often discussed mankind's deep-seated fear of "another bubonic plague"; a disease that will wipe out half the population of the world before anyone can do anything about it. What people seem to forget is for millions and millions of people, that disease is already here, slowly wiping out entire generations. It may not move as quickly as an airborne virus might, but its devastation is just as pervasive, with no cure in sight.

The fight against HIV takes commitment by individuals, communities and government as it is just as much about changing lifestyles and beliefs as it is about good health. Refilwe is committed to not only educating and raising awareness about HIV in the local community, but it is also committed to supporting people through the devastation the virus leaves in its wake.