Nomsa receives antiretroviral (ARV) treatment at South Africa’s Themba Lethu [Zulu word for “our hope”] Clinic, Helen Joseph Hospital. For Nomsa, entering the sprightly premises of Themba Lethu opens the doors to friendly people who care about her. “Coming for treatment at the clinic is like attending a social club,” she said during her speech to 500 guests
celebrating the clinic’s first anniversary in October 2005.
Nomsa was diagnosed HIV positive in 1999 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. A doctor had suggested an HIV test after repeated visits of unsuccessful treatments on her swollen chest. She stopped visiting Bara in 2000 after a doctor advised her that she only had two years to live.
A year later in 2001, Nomsa learnt of the IC2 infectious disease management clinic (Helen Joseph Treatment Center) – now named Themba Lethu – at Helen Joseph Hospital. During one of Nomsa’s early visits, Sister Sue Roberts, coordinator of the IC2 clinic at the time, arranged a CD4 count test for her. The results were 72cells/mm3 (well below the minimum count of 800cells/mm3). The low CD4 count sent panic messages to Nomsa’s doctors. Dr. Charles performed a viral load test after a private company that Nomsa used to work for offered to pay for her treatment. The viral load results were a high of 750 000cell/mm (number of HIV viruses effecting her blood cells in comparison to 0cell/mm). Mum Beauty, a volunteer counselor from CARE (Community Aids Response – a care and support non-governmental organisation) in the clinic began counseling and educating Nomsa about HIV, drug adherence, viral loads and CD4 counts. Nomsa says Themba Lethu doctors, nurses and counselors were very supportive, even when the private company could no longer finance her treatment. She was there at the opportune time when the clinic became the first site in Gauteng Province to commence the South African Government’s public antiretroviral (ARV) drug rollout program. Nomsa has been receiving treatment, care and support at this clinic ever since.
This innovative HIV care service builds public and private sector capacity to deliver safe, effective and affordable ARV therapy so that thousands more people living with HIV/AIDS can access treatment and improve their survival and productivity. The clinic was renovated from an old facility used previously for storage. Hundreds of patients now benefit weekly at the clinic. The new premises include eight confidential counseling rooms, nine doctors’ consulting rooms, a training room, pharmacy and spacious patient waiting room. More than 2000 HIV positive people have received care and support services since April 2004 and more than 1400 people are on treatment. An average of 350
patients attend treatment readiness counseling prior to starting ARV therapy and 48,000 state condoms are distributed every month. About 61% of Themba Lethu’s patients are female. A high number are unemployed or low-earning domestic workers.
Themba Lethu Clinic is becoming popular for its caring and professional services among patients and as a “center of excellence” in South Africa’s healthcare arena. It has the most patients on ARVs. President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has provided immeasurable assistance to the clinic through USAID for treatment and care.
Today Nomsa is self-employed and keen to rejoin the corporate world. She is a happy mother with a healthy CD4 count. “ARVs gave me a second chance,” she declares. “The clinic has always been staffed with incredible people.” Now with the new facility and more doctors and nurses funded by the US Government through PEPFAR and USAID, Nomsa’s greatest wish is for more social club establishments
countrywide where people can get help.
By Tebogo Lesele, Right To Care
