By Hlobsile Dlamini/Jessie Bohannon | HTS Counsellor/Nursing Coordinator
Trekking up the mountainside in Lomahasha, HIV testing supplies slung on their backs, determination in their step, and compassion in their hearts CHIPS medical team walk from homestead to homestead offering HIV treatment services (HTS) to the hard to reach communities in rural northeastern Swaziland. Reaching where the mobile medical clinic can’t, their footsteps take them on paths leading them hopefully to ears that are willing to listen to the life giving knowledge they have to offer.
Jabulile, 47 year-old mother of one living with her aging mom, life was forever changed by CHIPS door-to-door HTS outreach. Having never tested before for HIV, and after learning the importance of testing from the knowledgeable HTS counsellor, Jabulile allowed the CHIPS counsellor to administer her first HIV test in the comfort of her own home. Her test results coming back HIV positive.
Within the same hour the HTS counsellor was able to test Jabulile’s CD4 levels (immune system) to determine if she would soon need to start on ARV’s (treatment for HIV). Her CD4 level was 481, meaning her immune system was low and she was eligible to start ARV’s as soon as possible. On further investigation it was discovered Jabulile had oral thrush, a skin rash, and a painful case of vaginal warts. CHIPS was able to assist her with transport to Good Shepherd Hospital (an hour away) to see a doctor for the treatment of the opportunistic infections she was suffering from.
Within one week the CHIPS medical team had provided HIV and CD4 tests, transport to the hospital, counselling on HIV treatments, and Jabulile was then initiated on ARV’s in the privacy of her own home. Now six months later after starting ARV’s her infections have all healed and she is looking healthy and feeling good.
Jabulile said, “I am so happy about CHIPS coming to our community. I was able to get my health back without traveling a long way to the nearest clinic (a 30 minute trip on public transport). May the almighty God help CHIPS to grow and continue the good works they do to everyone in the kingdom of Swaziland.”
The Kudvumisa Clinic
This story shows the difference that access to care can make to an individual, a family and a community. The Kudvumisa Clinic in Maphiveni will step in to provide the care provided at Good Shepherd. Closer services mean more people can access them while decreasing tranport costs and helping to decongest Good Shepherd. Providing solar power at the clinic will reduce overall operating costs (electricity costs have doubled in the past three years). Less money spent on electricity means more money for standard and specialty in-house patient care!
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