Mandeni and KwaDukuza face chronic medication defaulting crisis
Activist Robert Shandu highlighted the shortage of staff at local clinics as a key contributing factor.
Mandeni and KwaDukuza have the highest number of people in the iLembe region who are on chronic medication but they are defaulting or not returning for follow-up appointments.
This was revealed in an interview with the Courier by Robert Shandu, an organiser for the iLembe Treatment Action Campaign and chairperson of the iLembe’s Civic Society.
Shandu said the main problem in the iLembe region was the shortage of staff at local clinics, resulting in residents not receiving optimal service because of long queues and exhausted nurses.
“Our main task is to check if there’s enough medication at our local clinics and that people are treated equally and fairly. We also conduct awareness campaigns, educating people about the importance of taking their medications on time,” said Shandu.
He identified Kwasithebe and Shaka’s Head as the most problematic areas with the highest number of people defaulting.
In terms of HIV treatment, Shandu said medication fatigue, alcohol intoxication causing infected people to forget taking their medication, and stigma are contributing factors, with some people failing to disclose their status to partners or family members.
“If you hide your status from the people close around you, it is likely you will not always be able to take your medication on time, or at all,” said Shandu.
He emphasised the importance of strictly adhering to one’s medication regime to achieve an undetectable viral load, where HIV levels are so low that transmission risk is minimal. He stressed the continued importance of safe sex protection.
Addressing the shortage of staff at clinics, Shandu said nurses are expected to assist 35 to 40 people a day, but end up helping a minimum of 100.
This overload, compounded by residents’ frustrations, leads to emotional strain and increased chances of nurses becoming sick.
Shandu encouraged patients to report mistreatment or medication shortages at their clinics by contacting him at 072 931 8042, or Mr Kopano for stockout issues at 067 4282 117.
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