December 1 marked World Aids Day and people around the world commemorated the day to show support for people with HIV and Aids.

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Those who died from Aids-related illnesses are also remembered.

The Bertha Gxowa Hospital hosted its annual international World Aids Day on December 1.

Patients with HIV and Aids were invited to give their testimonies and motivate the audience. Deputy director of nursing Mofokeng Zodwa made the event closing remarks and gave a vote of thanks.

This year’s theme was ‘Re-engage and follow the science’.

GCN had the opportunity to talk to Dr Sindiwa Nene about HIV, TB and Covid-19.

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She said the past few years have been challenging, especially in the medical field with Covid-19, as the main focus was on the pandemic.

“It is critical that we do not forget about HIV/Aids because those who are positive are at high risk.

“We remind people about the importance of knowing their status to be able to start treatment early,” said Nene.

She said education is still important and needed because of the development constantly happening.

During her presentation, she said people were sceptical of the medication before because of the side effects, but now there is a new drug that has fewer side effects.

“PrEP is for people who don’t have HIV and are at risk of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use.

“Injectable PrEP with CAB is highly effective at protecting patients from HIV and is for adults and adolescents who are at risk of getting HIV through sex.

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“PrEP is coming to South Africa in an injectable form. It is said that every two months you will need to take a dose,” said Nene.

“Scientific studies have shown that people on treatment and virally suppressed cannot spread HIV.

“We should not be having babies born HIV-positive. Globally there is an approximately 1.5 million new cases every year.

“In South Africa, 14% of the country’s population lives with the disease,” said Nene.

Thando Nyembe reminded the audience about the importance of exercise and nutrition. She said when you are sick, you need to exercise to strengthen your muscles and build fitness.

“Dieticians advise that you eat a lot of proteins. In the morning you can add peanut butter to your porridge,” said Nyembe adding that both physio therapy and diet are important.

“You are required to eat five to six small meals a day – fish, meat, chicken, cheese and yoghurt and vegetables, butternuts, pumpkins, so you don’t suffer from malnutrition.”

Sylvia Bomkazi Kuwane and Veronica Dira shared their life stories as individuals living with HIV and Aids for more than 10 years.

Dira said she has been living with HIV and Aids for 16 years. She managed to give birth to healthy children since first diagnosed.

“In 1997 I started testing for HIV. We used to wait for three weeks to get our results and we panicked,” said Dira.

“In the year 2000, my boyfriend tested positive at work.

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“When I got pregnant with my daughter in the early 2000’s I went for a test and tested positive. My daughter tested negative.

“I went through counselling and was diagnosed with dementia at some point. It was hard to accept the news of my health status, but I am now equipped with information from Soul City sessions and other organisations.

“My other daughter is 14 years this year and she also tested negative.

“Stigmatisation and discrimination are a sickness on their own. My boyfriend shot himself after he disclosed to his family his HIV status,” said Dira.

Kuwane advised HIV-positive patients to not stop taking their HIV treatment.

“I have been a speaker at this event for the past four years and I am always pleased to share my life story, ” said Kuwane.

“When I was first diagnosed with HIV, we used to take 10 pills but now with the technology we take only one pill.

We do not pay for our medication hence, I do not understand why people do not take their medication.

“You can still live a normal life. Last week I was in the Eastern Cape attending a funeral of a relative.

“She hid her HIV medicine under her bed and never took any pills,” said Kuwane.