by Thato Gololo | May 10, 2024 | News
High rates of HIV are being addressed by innovative pilot project aimed at underprivileged citizens in particular.
OUT LGBT, an organisation providing stigma-free health and legal services to the LGBTQIA+ community, has partnered with the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF) to launch a pilot project targeted at MSM (men who have sex with men) individuals that engage in chemsex, the use of certain stimulant drugs such as cocaine and meth for sex.
A study commissioned by the Human Sciences Research Council determined that there was a high prevalence of HIV among MSM individuals, with Johannesburg having a rate of over 26% and an astonishing prevalence rate in Durban nearing 50%.
OUT LGBT corroborated this as they discovered that among a group of 1,662 chemsex practicing MSM individuals tested over a 12-month period in Johannesburg, a prevalence of 20% existed.
“[Chemsex is specifically] the intention to use drugs to have sex… not just you’re high and you have sex. That’s sexualized drug use,” says OUT LGBT Executive Director, Dawie Nel. “Crystal [meth] is used the most.”
The 16-month project, which started in April 2024 and will conclude in July 2025, adopts a harm reduction approach in treating their 16 patients, contracting licensed psychologists and psychiatrists, alongside specially trained OUT LGBT staff.
The project looks at multiple aspects of treatment which are often overlooked in ordinary treatment plans, such as mental health, housing and food security, as well as the actual relationships and sex lives of patients.
“[They are] exposed to multiple risks. The sex is usually unprotected, quite extended sex. [It] can go up to 2-3 days at a time. When you’re on drugs, you are… rougher, wilder than you would usually be” which Nel says can often result in tearing.
OUT LGBT has run multiple programmes since 2021 specifically targeting people from lower socio-economic backgrounds from squatter camps in Yeoville, Soweto, Marlboro and the Orange Farm.
“What is important to realise is that [chemsex practicing] MSM individuals face different levels of stigma and harm, so we want to provide the services. If we can show it can be done affordably then it can take effect in other areas,” says technical advisor for the EJAF, Marriete Slabbert.
“The internalised shame makes it difficult for people to open up that they use drugs as they fear they will be rejected. This means that drug use medically [is] not dealt with sensibly… We want to see what does work to keep people in treatment,” said Nel.
Drug users drop out of HIV treatment programmes more frequently, Nel said OUT LGBT attempts to fill the gap by being a service provider that does not judge a patient’s history. The organisation aims to create a sustainable model that can be extended to the rest of the country which will ensure that men remain on their HIV treatment.
FEATURED IMAGE: Out LGBT contracted doctor treating a patient. Photo: Supplied/Out LGBT
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by Georgia Cartwright | Aug 1, 2023 | News
The Wits Pharmacy Student Council (WPSC) and the Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU) explored the pros and cons of PIMART in South Africa.
Pharmacists from both Wits University and SMU debated the issue of HIV treatment relating to the Pharmacist-Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Therapy implementation at the Wits Education Campus on Friday, July 28.
The Wits team argued in favour of the treatment, while SMU argued against it.
PIMART appeared in the Government Gazette for implementation in August 2021. This type of therapy would allow pharmacists to administer HIV medication without a script or medical consultation from a general practitioner.
The Independent Practitioner Association (IPA) has taken PIMART to court claiming that pharmacists are not qualified enough to supply ARVs, which formed the foundation of the debate. The IPA represents all primary healthcare practitioners in independent private practice.
Former South African Medical Association chairperson, Dr. Angelique said the move would allow for “unfair competition”, as pharmacists would “compete with general practitioners whilst not having the necessary qualifications.”
A pharmacy student from the SMU team, Covenant Ngomana, argued that PIMART is needed to address the “high volume of HIV-related deaths in South Africa” due to lack of treatment. Statistics show that 94.2% of South Africans know their HIV status but only 75% seek treatment.
Wits pharmacy student, Maria Phalane, disagreed, she said pharmacists mainly work in the private sector with only “27% of South Africans in private healthcare, leaving 73% [of the majority] uncatered for.”
Dr. Maria Eksteen, a professional in pharmacy education, told Wits Vuvuzela that “PIMART has a valuable place in the South African healthcare context,” and added that pharmacists are the “most accessible healthcare professionals, [changing] the game in terms of accessibility to treatment for employed and uninsured patients.”
Eksteen adds that PIMART is definitely “part of many solutions to Africa’s high HIV infection rates,” with an estimated 13.2% of South Africans living with HIV in 2022.
It is unclear at this point whether PIMART will be fully implemented in South Africa, but the debate was meant to help “raise awareness and promote a discussion around PIMART,” said WPSC member, Lethokuhle Ndaba.
Although the IPA and some practitioners are against PIMART, the debate highlighted how it could help increase the treatment rates of HIV positive patients throughout South Africa.
FEATURED IMAGE: Students watching and discussing the PIMART Debate at Wits’ Education Campus in Parktown. Photo: Georgia Cartwright
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by Londell Ramalepe | Jul 26, 2018 | Lifestyle
Health fair: Wits students visit health stations in numbers. Photo: Londell Phumi Ramalepe
Wits health science students hosted a two day health fair on July 20 and 21 at Solomon Mahlangu House Concourse to raise awareness about health issues faced by students.
The students offered a number of healthcare checks including dentistry, dermatology, eye testing and physiotherapy.
The event which was hosted by Jesus Christ To All Languages (JTL) society together with the Wits Campus Health and Wellness Centre (CHWC) also provided services related to specific men’s and women’s health issues along with dietary and chronic conditions.
Participants were also able to donate blood and make use of aerobic and resistance training stalls.
Final year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery student, and leader of the JTL society, Hennah Mungure, said that convenience plays a major role in people checking up on their well-being. The 24-year-old told Wits Vuvuzela, “Students have many questions about health issues but do not necessarily go to the doctor to find out or get answers.”
The acting head nurse of CHWC, Sister Maggie Moloi, told Wits Vuvuzela that male healthcare was one of the priorities at the fair. The CHWC have partnered with Wise Up, an operation which focuses on Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC).
Dr Lubwana J. Kigozi from the VMMC project, who was also present at the fair, said that the aim of his organisation is to ensure that males are given knowledge about their medical healthcare so that they can voluntarily go for circumcision which is shown to reduce the “risks of acquiring HIV by 60%,” in males.
The high cost of health is one of the factors preventing students from getting regular health checks. “The only option left for students is to go to the public sector which can be a tedious process because you cannot wait an entire day when suffering from sinusitis,” said Mungure.
“Some of us do not have enough money to go to campus health, so this fair makes it easier,” said Dimakatso Hlahlu, a Wits second year geology student.
“I wouldn’t necessarily go to the doctor to check up on my health because the medical aid does not pay the full amount and I would have to top up,” said Yenzokuhle Hleta, a second year Wits mechanical engineering student.
Moloi added that ignorance also prevents students from thinking about their health. “Students tell themselves that they are only here to study and don’t have to look after their health. In the long run they end up with high blood pressure with the stress they get from studies,” Moloi said.
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by Tracey Ruff | May 28, 2014 | Lifestyle
FOLLOWING PROTOCOL IS IMPORTANT: A Wits student gets her blood tested for HIV at a testing campaign on Wits Education Campus earlier this year. Photo: Tracey Ruff
From lost blood test results to a lack of guidance about antiretroviral treatment (ARVs), the protocol after exposure to a potential HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) threat is both frustrating and time-consuming for some students.
Students at the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences are required to follow a strict protocol when accessing ARVs after an exposure to the virus in the course of their practical work.
“[Students] have to come to Campus Health for reporting purposes,” explained Sister Yvonne Matimba of Campus Health. While students can access an ARV starter pack immediately after an exposure from the hospital in which they are working, further treatment can only be accessed through Campus Health located in the Matrix building on main campus.
The alternative is to pay for the treatment through a private health care provider.
“She didn’t really know what the protocol was and just gave me the pills and told me I had to make the decision”
However, as Krystle Moodley, a Wits dentistry graduate currently completing her community service year in Mpumulanga, said, “It sucks [going to Campus Health] if you’re at med school because you have to go all the way to [main] campus. How does that make sense?”
Moodley has been on ARVs twice. Her first time was in fourth year after she pricked herself with a needle.
Once she had reported the incident to Campus Health, her bloods were taken immediately and she was put on a 28-day ARV treatment regime. She then had to go back for a six-week, and three-month, blood test.
Missing results
After not receiving her results from her three-month blood test, Moodley phoned Campus Health and was informed her results had been lost. She then decided to go to a private doctor and had to pay about R150 to get her bloods done.
“No one [at Campus Health] bothered to tell me or bring me in to retake [my bloods].”
Counselling is also provided by Campus Health to the affected students. However, according to Moodley, she feels that what she was told was information she had studied and already knew about.
CLICK TO ENLARGE: What does ARV treatment involve? Graphic: Tracy Ruff.
A sixth-year medical student who did not want to be named, who has been on ARVs twice, has also expressed difficulties with the Campus Health process. “In terms of waiting times, [Campus Health] was good, but the sister (who was a new employee at the time) couldn’t give me advice on whether or not to take the ARVs, she said.
She didn’t really know what the protocol was and just gave me the pills and told me I had to make the decision.”
However, according to Matimba, all staff at Campus Health are adequately trained to deal with the protocol.
A Wits postgraduate student, who also did not want to be identified, said dealing with Campus Health after she received a needle-stick injury was “a pleasure.”
“The nurses are friendly and extremely professional. They help you every step of the way.”
In need of more guidance
Students who fail to follow the protocol strictly are exempt from making any insurance claims according to the Faculty of Health Sciences’ Student Protection and Insurance booklet.
The booklet directs students to contact any of a number of doctors and staff members if an exposure occurs. There are also two additional emergency numbers provided. Wits Vuvuzela tried to reach an adviser via one of the numbers provided but was told that the staff member in question had left a few years ago.
The sixth-year medical student feels that students need to be given a card with the relevant protocol information that they can carry with them at all times. She also believes students should be informed about the ARV protocol properly at the beginning of their studies.
“They (lectures and doctors) should sit you down and tell you what to do.”
Protocol in the working world also frustrating
A Wits occupational therapy graduate, who asked not to be named, has recently completed her ARV treatment for HIV exposure outside of Wits.
“I had problems with the workman compensation procedures … so I went about paying for everything and thought I could claim back but turned out I couldn’t,” explained the graduate.
Moodley, who is now working for a public hospital, has just completed her 28-day ARV treatment. Describing her experience with the ARV protocol in the hospital she said, “it was kind of haphazard and no one knew what to do.”
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by Roxanne Joseph | May 23, 2014 | News
The South African National Blood Services (SANBS) has lifted a ban on blood donation by gay men. Certain high risk categories of potential donors though, remained banned. Photo: Wits Vuvuzela.
Gay men across South Africa are now permitted to donate blood, according to shift in policy at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS).
A new “non-discriminatory” SANBS policy now considers those in monogamous homosexual relationships as eligible but there is still a restriction on certain high risk categories of potential donors.
Those with a new sexual partner, or multiple partners are not allowed to donate, regardless of their sexuality, as the risk of HIV/AIDS infection is too large.
Those with a new sexual partner, or multiple partners are not allowed to donate, regardless of their sexuality, as the risk of HIV/AIDS infection is too large, according to the SANBS.
Previously, only those who had been in heterosexual monogamous relationships for over six months were allowed to donate blood.
“As an organisation that is consistently improving the way we screen donors, and test the blood collected, SANBS together with the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service (WPBTS) … have been working … to relook at the donor acceptance criteria with regards to the South African community,” read a SANBS press release.
The amendment to the questionnaire someone has to complete when donating blood on the definition of a sexual act has been altered, removing the question on male to male sex. The new policy will “address sexual risk, in that any sexual act or contact with a NEW partner/s during the preceding six months will be deemed a risk to the safety of blood supply, irrespective of the personal sexual orientation or preference”.
The previous policy existed as a result of international trends which sought to address the high rate of HIV-infection in South Africa.
Dawie Nel, a member of OUT, an organisation serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, is very happy with the SANBS’s announcement. He said, “Our argument was that it’s not about gay identity, but about risky behaviour and I hope it will encourage more gay men to donate blood.”
