Today we would like to introduce this stunning team of women, whom has made this site their pride and joy, but indirectly also changed a community!
The site was opened in 2008 as a collaboration between the Philippi Trust, The Desmund Tutu Trust, PEPFAR and the Department of Health. The site is located in the Alexandra building on the Somerset West main road and managed by Sister Pumla Ramatola, who is assisted by Cornelia Jantjies and their friendly professional counsellors Julia Ngqaqhu, Jenina Matthys, Monia Adams and Maureen Majikela with Sister Pumla’s husband Ernest as their driver for whenever they go an outreach into the communities.
Whereas many non clinical sites only do HIV testing, this site does not only do HIV/Aids Awareness but also does the counselling and testing for HIV, TB, Blood Pressure, Glucose, BMI, Pregnancy and family planning.
The site is welcoming, clean, wall to wall carpets and very well kept with a waiting area, three counselling rooms, and main office. What stands out about this site is that it constantly used by all races, which I thought spoke volumes in terms of its non-discriminatory conduct. It is easily accessible from the main road and is known as a trusted, confidential service provider in Somerset West. The staff’s level of work is outstanding, and you can clearly tell that these ladies are not just enjoying but also taking a lot of pride in their work. An average of eight to fifteen clients a day walk through these doors where the staff has a focus to build a relationship with every person to ensure that they will return for follow up tests and counselling.
Speaking with Sister Pumla, you encounter a passion and a knowledge that has been developed from years of experience and a heart for people with no exclusivity. “I see the younger generation’s infection rate declining as they are more informed about safer sex, than the older generation. It is so much easier for them to openly speak about sex and condom use, that I think the next generation will be even less infected that this one. Looking at the infection statistics through the various generations it is evident how important education in this field is.”
One of the challenges which the personnel experience is when a person whom has tested HIV positive is referred to a hospital for ARV’s but then never turns up, out of fear to be recognised by hospital staff, other patients in the waiting room or purely medical staff disclosing their positive status. Discrimination and stigma is still so rife in our society that people are willing to gamble with their lives, instead of taking a chance to obtain medication in many hospitals and roll out clinics.
The question then remains, why is stigma still so strong in our day and age? The challenges are still found in Socio-Cultural circumstances where spouses suspiciously frown upon condom use in a “supposedly” monogamous relationship. Women are being treated less than men, and their voices are often silenced through domestic violence when confronting an unfaithful spouse. Sex is still a topic that is not openly discussed and with the increase of poverty, we find that people move around geographically in an effort to find work, yet spreading the virus faster than should their community have had less human movement.
The bottom line is, this VCT site has proved itself trustworthy, safe and definitely a story of hope. We can only pray that this attitude of professional conduct, confidentiality and integrity is spread to our communities in an effort break down stigma.
To have a look at this amazing site, please visit the Philippi website at http://www.philippitrust.co.za/ Article Written by Johan Obbes
i got tested today 07/02/2012 and Janine was very professional. Sh made the process less traumatic as experienced in the past in a different center. I felt free to discuss my concerns as i didn't feel a sense of being judged. I will definately be testing again in May as per her recommendation with my girlfriend!
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