Pakamisa Game Reserve hosts HIV/AIDS staff educational

Getting to Zero:

Zero new HIV infections.

Zero deaths from AIDS-related illness.

Zero discrimination

It is no secret that South Africa, and particularly Zululand, has a frighteningly high HIV/ AIDs rate of infection. It was heartening to witness Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, just outside Pongola, promote health education for staff members.

Pakamisa Private Game Reserve invited Siloah Lutheran Clinic in September 2013 to do a workshop for their staff of 35. They repeated the process again this year, which was a huge success, now that the employees have become more familiar with the Siloah professionals.

Siloah Lutheran TB Hospital is just outside Louwsberg in a remote setting called Ehlomohlomo. This clinic has saved many South African lives, and I can personally vouch for that. One of my staff was seriously ill with TB and AIDs, and they pulled her through (her CD4 count was 5!!! A healthy person’s is 1,000). Today she is a strapping young lass holding down a good job.

A Pakamisa ranger commented after the workshop:  “It is good to know this information. We have learnt a lot and we will share it with our communities. It is important to know your status.”

5 German volunteers, working at Pakamisa, were amazed at this level of interaction. “We really appreciated being involved. I have not seen this been done in Europe for HIV/ AIDs awareness. Sure, we practice safe sex, but that’s to protect us against STDs and unwanted pregnancies. There were some awkward moments during the lectures, but I was amazed how open everyone was and the number of questions that were asked.”

Siloah is only funded by the Department of Health as their contract with USAID recently expired. The hospital has 145 beds. Occupancy is seasonal with the hotter months being higher. Most patients are admitted for 2 months for full recovery. This period has been shortened now that oral medication for TB is available and treatment can be administered at home. Patients qualify for ARVs immediately, if necessary. There is no waiting period.

It is encouraging that lodges in remote areas, like Pakamisa, are enabling their staff to have access to this level of education and treatment. Tourists visiting South Africa can take comfort in the knowledge that some members of the hospitality industry have taken a level of responsibility in the fight against HIV/ AIDs.

Indeed – love life, live healthy.

Amen.

About the blogger