Development Talk

More people seek help from the clinics.Photo: US Army Afrika,Flickr

Denial and a lack of  education are some of the factors that increase a person’s chance of contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

In this same regard, people stray from health clinics as they fear the stigma that may be associated with their health concerns.  Behaving this way causes people to miss the opportunity to get information about HIV/AIDS and how support groups can change their behaviour.

To further investigate this topic, DKT International, a well-known organisation, conducted door-to door surveys in Khayelitsha to find out why people refused to visit clinics. Some of the responses included: a lack of privacy and confidentiality, and people felt uncomfortable being treated by a person of the opposite sex.

Focusing on similar components, a partnership between De Beers Fund and Humana People to People was formed and aimed to erase a mentality of fear and distrust.  Their efforts linked health facilities and people in the Limpopo province.

These two organisations created the initiative, “Connecting People to the Clinics,” a programme that encourages people to get involved in health services.

 According to ngopulse.org, the programme mobilised the community through door-to door campaigns, showing locals the importance of going to clinics for screenings, as well as for patients to get  sufficient ARV’s.

Through this campaign, people’s attitudes and behaviours have changed as they take control of their lives and see the importance of getting help.

Matshidiso Ramokgadi, project leader, was quoted as saying, “a definite impact has been noted, especially in the clinics where before the nurses would see 5 people a day and now the numbers have risen to 35 patients a day.”

Educational programmes are very important to our community. Counselling and adequate education serve as a source of information and change people’s mindsets on life-threatening issues.