HIV Care for 5000 children/caregivers in Swaziland

“The people have this interesting mentality. They think the medication from Kudvumisa is different to that of other clinics. You hear them say, “The medication from Kudvumisa is powerful. They have strong medication! Even the ARVs from there are powerful,”” confessed Hlobsile Dlamini an HTS Counselor at Kudvumisa.

But in reality is the medication being dispensed at Kudvumisa any different to that from other health facilities?

“The truth is that the medication we give here is the same as that issued by other clinics and hospitals. Imagine even pills like Panadol people think are different yet they are the same,” added Hlobsile.

If Kudvumisa was a company operating in the private sector where people’s lives were not involved the organization could have taken advantage of the public’s misconception that they offer better or more potent medication. But because the organization’s aim is to help the vulnerable groups alongside the government, they have shown great ethics by continuing to inform and educate the people that the medication is the same as that given by other clinics.

“We continue to tell them that the medication is the same because we don’t want them to be stuck during the weekends or on public holidays. That way they know if there is an emergency they can go to the nearest clinic or hospital without having to wait for Kudvumisa!” Insisted Hlobsile.

Commenting on this huge misconception by the general public, Kudvumisa medical director Teresa Rehmeyer said, “I think that it is the way in which the patients are treated that makes them feel that the medications are more potent. It is delivered with compassion and love.”

The staff at Kudvumisa have on a regular basis been lauded for showing love and compassion to the patients. This is a direct result of the culture of deliberately being friendly to patients that has since become part of the organization’s DNA.

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