The hopes of many people sick with AIDS rest on the technical report that has been delivered to government. Until a public sector treatment programme becomes available, these life-prolonging drugs will remain a luxury only accessible to those who can afford them. Justice Edwin Cameron is one of the fortunate minority.
Many people equate an HIV diagnosis with imminent death. Not only is this false, but more important, early diagnosis of HIV improves one's chances of survival. Goitsemang Nnetlane (not his real name) from the Northern Cape recently heard that his sister, Dibuseng (also not her real name) had been diagnosed with HIV. His first thought was that he had to secure anti-retrovirals for her immediately. But, he was wrong.
In the last Living with AIDS feature, we heard how Goitsemang, a young man from Britstown, in the Northern Cape, has been on a quest to learn more about HIV and AIDS after hearing that his sister, Dibuseng, is HIV positive. Khopotso Bodibe of Health-e News Service, accompanied him to a doctor to have some of his questions answered.
Part 2 of an interview with Justice Edwin Cameron who describes his past six years on antiretroviral therapy as a "miracle" that has given him back his life.
Whether it's an alarm clock or the local rooster, people in poor communities can find ways to remember to take their antiretroviral therapy at the same time every morning and evening. Nyameka Ndhashe lost her mother to AIDS because she could not get antiretroviral therapy. Now she's a monitor for the Treatment Access Campaign helping others who are getting drugs to enjoy a new lease on life.
An important pre-condition for anyone on antiretroviral therapy under the Treatment Action Campaign's treatment project is to have the support of a friend. Buyiswa Gcwabe is desperately ill and has chosen her 16-year old daughter Zanele as her official 'treatment supporter'.
News Brief Archives
What it's like to take antiretroviral therapy, how many pills are needed and why taking them regularly and consistently is so important.
Where is the best place to take antiretrovirals ' with a private doctor or through the public sector? Many would argue the public sector is more efficient and effective.
South Africa is poised to roll out the world's biggest antiretroviral treatment programme. But if we don't get it right first time, there is a danger of multi-drug resistant HIV developing.
Fighting HIV/AIDS with anti-retrovirals will change millions of South African lives, but failure could be devastating.
A brief description of how anti-retroviral drugs work.
As the government-appointed task team on AIDS treatment works towards its end of September deadline, Health-e takes a look at what antiretroviral drugs mean to people already taking them. In the first of two parts, Justice Edwin Cameron talks about his experience of living with AIDS and six years on anti-retroviral therapy.
Buyiswa Gcwabe is a mother of seven children and has AIDS. She is a member of the Treatment Action Campaign and is among the first group of 25 people to receive antiretroviral treatment funded by the TAC. Health-e travelled with her to her first appointment with the doctor who will monitor her treatment.
The Treatment Campaign Action has launched the "Treatment Project" to provide antiretroviral drugs to its most needy members. For each TAC member on ARV therapy, a non-TAC member who needs the life-prolonging drugs will be treated. Some 110 TAC members have died from AIDS related illnesses between March and July this year alone.
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