WATCH: How to keep people on HIV treatment during a flood
What happens when there’s a natural disaster and people living with HIV can’t take their chronic medication? Watch to find out what can be done to make sure their treatment isn’t interrupted
25 January 2023 - 07:00
byYolanda Mdzeke and Zano Kunene
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Destroyed homes are seen after a river burst its banks in Ntuzuma, Durban, on April 13 2022. Picture: REUTERS/ROGAN WARD
In KwaZulu-Natal, people living with HIV were doubly affected by the floods in April 2022, which left 448 people dead.
They lost their belongings like IDs and medication, which meant they couldn’t collect their treatment from clinics.
Research from Namibiashows that health-care workers can prepare HIV-positive people for floods by handing out medication in advance when it looks like a flood is about to start, and moving them to clinics closer to their homes.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
WATCH: How to keep people on HIV treatment during a flood
What happens when there’s a natural disaster and people living with HIV can’t take their chronic medication? Watch to find out what can be done to make sure their treatment isn’t interrupted
This story was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Sign up for the newsletter.
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