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Being HIV-positive is not a death sentence
Jo Breach. 01 December 2003. Cape Argus. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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The first thing that strikes you about Bulelwa Mabe is her broad smile and zest for life. It is hard to believe that a year ago the mother-of-two wanted to throw herself under a train to end her life when doctors told her that she and her baby daughter had tested HIV-positive. Bulelwa, 35, from Khayelitsha, is one of the estimated five million South Africans who live with HIV/AIDS.
Today 600 people in this country will die of HIV/AIDS and 500 000 others need to take anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy to help them stay alive.
Bulelwa is getting her life back on track by job-hunting, but she vividly recalls "that fateful day".
Doctors at her local clinic told her to take her baby Zenande to the Red Cross Children's Hospital for tests when she fell sick.
"One of the tests they wanted to run was for HIV. They had to get my permission and of course I said yes."
"Afterwards they said they wanted to talk to me. I knew straight away something was wrong. The doctor said: 'I'm sorry we found out your daughter has HIV'.
"I couldn't take it in and just stared at the window, so he said: 'Do you want me to repeat what I just said'. I finally took it in about the fourth time."
Doctors suggested she also take an HIV test and it proved positive. Bulelwa thinks she contracted the virus from the baby's father, whom she no longer sees, but cannot prove it.
"I was angry and scared. I was everything at once. I felt my whole world crashed in on me. I said to God: 'Why me?' I had heard of the way people suffer from it and asked God: 'Why not take me now. Don't let me suffer'.
"I didn't know whether to go and throw myself under a train or a bus."
Breaking the news to her family was the hardest part, but to her surprise they were supportive. She has now been on ARV treatment for six months and says it has changed her life. She has seen a noticeable improvement in controlling her condition and that of her daughter, now almost two.
"Before I worried Zenande wasn't growing properly, but now she is walking around and is very happy."
Anti-retroviral medicines can prolong and improve quality of life for people with HIV but up until recently they were prohibitively expensive.
Last week the government announced it was rolling out its operational plan for comprehensive treatment and care for HIV/AIDS.
It has been hailed as great news for South Africa and for the global fight against HIV/AIDS by Medecins Sans Frontieres (doctors without frontiers).
The international organisation has been helping Bulelwa and Zenande as part of its groundbreaking work in Cape Town. Medical staff deal with about 1 500 HIV-positive people at their three clinics in Khayelitsha. The organisation estimates it has already prevented several hundred babies from being born with HIV.
"If I have a message for people it is that being HIV positive is not a death sentence. It's not the end of the world. Look at me - I am thinking about the future. Yes I have HIV but I am looking forward to Christmas like everyone else.
"The sooner you know if you have got it, the better. Once you know your status there are people that can help. I know it's not good news but it doesn't make you a bad person. I urge people not to be in denial. We have to learn and accept that HIV and AIDS are real." |
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