Ethembeni commemorates World AIDS Day
During his speech, Ethembeni Board Chairperson Dr Sandile Tshabalala, who has been working in HIV/Aids prevention for many years, spoke about the many preventative measures people can take
COMMEMORATING World AIDS Day, Ethembeni Care Centre in KwaMbonambi last week held an event to honour all healthcare workers in the HIV/AIDS prevention field.
During his speech, Ethembeni Board Chairperson Dr Sandile Tshabalala, who has been working in HIV/Aids prevention for many years, spoke about the many preventative measures people can take.
Warning young women about sugar daddies and youngsters in general about promiscuity, he said those who spread HIV through irresponsible living are fighting against all the efforts put into combatting the scourge.
He encouraged everyone to undertake preventative procedures, including pap smears for women and prostate exams for men.
PHOTO: Tamlyn Jolly
‘Before 1999, no specific drug was the official ARV (anti-retrovirals) and when HIV/Aids patients came in to Ethembeni, we knew they would not leave under their own steam,’ he said.
‘At one point we would spend more time filling out death certificates than conducting ward rounds.’
However, as ARVs have become more effective, Ethembeni staff have started to see more hope in their patients and have seen an improvement among some of them.
Tshabalala has started focusing on HIV prevention through various forms of community work.
‘We are teaching people to become more self-sufficient and less dependant on the government.
‘The prevalence of HIV has decreased, from 38% to 18%, which we are happy about, but we would like to see a complete prevention of the disease,’ said Tshabalala.
Thanking all Ethembeni’s sponsors, Tshabalala said that with further sponsorship, Ethembeni can do more in its quest to educate people about HIV/Aids prevention.
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