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A New Direction for The Gift of Hope
The global community is witnessing a turning point in the AIDS epidemic; in South Africa the rate of new HIV infections is decreasing while the number of people being initiated onto lifesaving treatment is increasing. In time, HIV/AIDS has gone from being a death sentence to a manageable, chronic disease.
 This progress has been thanks to international support to non-governmental clinical programs such as Sinikithemba Clinic at McCord Hospital in Durban. Over a span of eight years, with the support of United States government, Sinikithemba initiated over 16,000 people onto antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and was able to provide ongoing holistic care to both adults and children. Beginning in June 2012, the South African government assumed full responsibility for treating all of its citizens with HIV- a measure of progress that is worthy of celebration. After more than a dozen years of caring for those living with HIV, Sinikithemba closed its doors and down-referred patients to government clinics, where they now receive free anti retroviral therapy.
Despite freely available antiretroviral therapy, there are still a host of obstacles preventing women and children access to quality, holistic, patient-centered health care and treatment including poverty, shame, stigma, and inadequate healthcare systems. Many children living with HIV lapse from treatment and others have not yet been tested or initiated onto treatment. The key to good health, a promising future, and an AIDS-free generation is to test women and children as early as possible, link them to treatment, ensure adherence to their medication and promote healthy life choices by giving them appropriate psychosocial support.
Recognizing the importance of testing, treatment and support, The Gift of Hope refocused its efforts on providing these key services to former Sinikithemba patients as they transitioned to the government sector, as well as to other under resourced communities in the provinces of KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng. Through the development of new programs and partnerships, we remain committed to our broader goal of caring for women and children in South Africa and giving hope for a bright and healthy future.
- Click here to read about A FRESH Start: A Future Realized through Education, Support and Healthcare—a comprehensive program of testing, healthcare, education and support for women and newborns, spanning from pregnancy through the first 18 months of life.
- Click here to read about our program to Sponsor a Mother and Child.
"Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so indispensable,
none so powerful, as hope."
— Charles W. Sawyer |
