OurHealth visited Imbalenhle Clinic in KwaZulu-Natal when they issued the first patient there with the new treatment.
‘I’m very excited to be the first among many to receive this pill,’ said Nozipho Ndlovu*. ‘I feel really privileged and blessed for me and my unborn baby,’ she said excitingly.
Another patient, 32-year-old Bongekile Ngcobo, who has been on HAART since 2009 said: ‘I’m really happy for the recipient of the new pill. With one pill the chances of defaulting on their treatment are very slim. I can’t wait for my next doctor’s appointment so we can discuss the possibilities of me switching to the new pill,’ said Bongekile.
Sister Fikile Quvane, who works as Quality Mentor at Khethimpilo organization said: ‘The new pill is going to improve compliance and reduce the number if pills, therefore lessening the chance of mother-to-child transmission.’ – OurHealth/Health-e News Service
*Not her real name
Thandiwe Mazanqinqi-Zamisa is an OurHealth Citizen Journalist reporting from the Mgungundlovu health district in KwaZulu-Natal.