Lesego Motsepe has stopped Antiretrovirals: announced on national TV.
I must admit I did not see the show 3 Talk last week (appros 9 Feb 2012). But I heard that she announced that she elected to stop her ARV treatment and is on no therapy currently except meditation and some natural foods/treatments. I am going to have a look and see if I can watch the show and get an accurate picture of what she said. But, my first reaction, if this is true, is horror. When a public figure has achieved fame, along with the priveleges of that fame come responsibilities. Lesego was on the show because she is a well known actress. She disclosed her HIV status publicly on 1 December, which I applauded. But, she is looked to as a role model for regular civilians, and she needs to take that responsibility very seriously. Standing up and making declarations about stopping ARV treatment have serious repercussions on how people feel about themselves, about their status and about their decisions whether to take treatment or not. We already know that in the era of Dr Beetroot Tshabalala Msimang and Thabo There-is-no-such-thing-as-HIV Mbeki that approximately half a million people died directly because of the delays and digging-in-heels of a government refusing to provide ARV treatment. Does Lesego want to take the burden of more deaths and infections onto her shoulders along with the privelege of fame she bears? See the poll below. Please give me your opinion. This is not a time for sitting on the fence. Lives are at stake, and maybe yours. Look out for my next blog coming soon (on this topic). Cheers, Gail
Dr Gail's blog out now
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Health Minister is pro-Breastfeeding. Even in HIV.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced on Monday that the government would be moving to reduce the provision of free formula milk because South Africa's rate of breastfeeding is extremely low, and yet its infant mortality is rising.
This remains a controversial topic, especially when it comes to breastfeeding in HIV positive women. And yet, over a year ago, the World Health Organisation stated that breastfeeding when the mum or baby is on ARV medication, is safe. Indeed, most people advocating formula milk, omit to mention any risks involved with formula milk. Nor do most clinics or healthcare providers screen patients for eligibility to formula feed using the AFASS criteria set out clearly by the WHO. In South AFrica's private and public sector it is an exception for a mother to be counselled on both benefits and risks of breastfeeding and formula feeding. A coersive, one-sided approach is accepted and traditional, consisting of advice such as "mummy, if you breastfeed the baby might get HIV, but if you formula feed there is no chance for the baby to get HIV. So, which will you choose?" So, this latest move to promote breastfeeding will help to reduce the skewed proportion of formula fed babies, improve infant mortality without causing increased HIV transmission. This is indeed, positive news. For more on this click here. and here. | BREAKING NEWS:PEOPLE WITH A CD4 OF 350 OR LESS CAN START ARVS AT ANY STATE CLINIC.August 12 2011 |
optimism
There is now a one-pill-once-a-day combination antiretroviral pill registered for use in South Africa. Ask your doctor whether it would benefit you. Scientists have identified two antibodies which seem to stop HIV from attaching to and infecting T-cells, accelerating efforts toward a vaccine. HIV is not a death sentence but a chronic illness that can be managed successfully with high quality care. In first-world countries life expectancy is 43 years after starting antiretroviral treatment. This is what we can and should be achieving in South Africa. The iPrex (oral Truvada) and CAPRISA 004 (1% tenofovir microbicide gel) trials show the potential for anti-retrovirals to reduce the risk of contracting HIV, by 43.8% in men who have sex with men and 39% in heterosexual women respectively. | awareness
Starting antiretroviral therapy earlier is better than later. Current recommendations are CD4 less than 350 cells/mm3 AND/OR disease stage 3-4. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be prevented with antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy which should be started as early as possible. Safer conception techniques exist for couples living with HIV. Ask your doctor. enlightenment Health and living well is our section with evidence-based tips on pregnancy, nutrition, exercise, smoking, sex and disclosure. There are also personal stories from South Africans living with HIV. thebody.com is an excellent American website dealing with American issues. South Africans deal with very different issues and different drugs and disease profiles. Therefore, a website with local perspective is essential. |
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