November 2009 eNewsletter

Still, most successful business in town is Funeral Services

From Andrew McDougall, BoH Executive Director

With Dr. Anne-Marie and Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran (who happens to have been a nurse in her past), I was concerned about what we would see as we returned to the clinic this August. What if the situation at Tšepong is as desperate as it was on our last visit in 2007?

However, most of the patients were in reasonably healthy condition, coming in for a check up and a prescription renewal for another month’s worth of ARVs. There are many new patients each day, but for the most part they now come in earlier in their illness for testing as the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS is being addressed in the community. Stigma is being reduced each day. Still, a few people come in each day who are suffering with end stage HIV. For some, the decision to be tested has come too late.

We wrapped up our time at the clinic in good spirits. Yes, there have been some horrific cases, but so many more that are being managed well. The funds raised for Tšepong are working. They are making a difference.

Yet the need is great at Tšepong. The most successful business in the town is still Lesotho Funeral Services.

At the end of October 2009, over 11,000 patients were registered at the Tšepong Clinic, and 5,000 people have been enrolled on ARV treatment. The clinic sees, on average, 100 patients each day. In a given month approximately 150 new patients are enrolled in HIV care at the clinic, and an average of 80 individuals are started on life-saving antiretroviral drug therapy.

It costs $25,000 a month to operate the clinic including testing, counseling and clinical care provided to approximately 2,000 patients. The clinic needs to stay open to continue treating the approximately 10,000 patients enrolled in treatment. And the work to reduce stigma continues, as does the education and cultural shifts that will reduce risk.

Please take a moment now to consider making an ongoing monthly pledge to this important work at Tšepong.