Cape Town – Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) saved Monica Doda’s life, as well as that of her daughter and grandson.
“If it was not for ARVs, we would have died in our house. If we did not listen to our nurse’s instruction, if we did not go to HIV support groups, we would have been worse off. But we got help. You see us today looking healthy and beautiful and it is because of the ARVs,” said Doda.
Doda, who is now a motivational speaker, said she, together with her daughter and her grandson are HIV positive.
Despite the devastation that comes with a positive test result, she chose to break the stigma and join support groups and speak out about her positive status.
She is now a motivational speaker for the Langa Community Aids Programme, and is regularly invited on community radio shows to talk about the scourge of HIV and Aids and do interviews with regional magazines.
“I am HIV positive with my daughter, as well as my grandson. But when we talk in front of people, we are a good example because we are healthy and beautiful,” she said.
She is the first in her family to break the stigma around the disease.
Doda was speaking when Human Settlements Deputy Minister Zou Kota-Fredericks visited Joe Slovo Park in Milnerton in the Western Cape to raise awareness about HIV and Aids and reiterate government’s call for more people to know their status.
The country is commemorating 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa marked World Aids Day on 1 December.
Doda said both campaigns affected her personally.
“I was unfortunately raped as a young girl growing up. Growing up was hard.”
Team approach needed
Deputy Minister Kota-Fredericks told the community meeting that the fight against HIV and Aids needed a “team approach” and that families should act as a support structure for those that get infected.
Speaking to SAnews, the Deputy Minister, who also sits on the South African National Aids Council (SANAC), said while the fight against HIV and Aids was being scaled up, government will also take an aim at Tuberculosis (TB).
Many South Africans living with HIV and Aids are at a far higher risk of developing TB, mainly because of their weakened immune system but also because of their poor living conditions.
“Not everybody dies of HIV and Aids. In many instances people die because of TB. Especially in high populated areas like Joe Slovo, people need to be aware that HIV and Aids is a twin of TB,” she said.
Seven million people are living with HIV and Aids in South Africa and 50% of those are on ARVs.
Government also wants to focus its campaigns on the youth to tackle and reduce new HIV infections, said the Deputy Minister.
Siphokuhle Tinzi, a professional nurse from a non-governmental organisaton called TB/HIV Care Association, brought her mobile clinic to the event and Joe Slovo residents were able to get screened for various illnesses – including TB and sexually transmitted diseases as well as HIV counselling and testing.
She said the mobile clinic was able to move to various areas to offer these important services.
“We offer community services and we drive around Cape Town and go to different areas. Mainly, we focus on areas that are in need of these services.
“We try to reach everyone.” – SAnews.gov.za
