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HIV/AIDS in South Africa
The first documented case of HIV/AIDS in South Africa occurred in 1982. As a result, the government began to notice and monitor trends with various demographics but became preoccupied with the historic political and social changes occuring. During that time, HIV/AIDS went largely unchecked. Between 1993 and 2000, the number of HIV/AIDS victims skyrocketed. Though confronted with an obvious epidemic, the government was slow to respond. High-ranking public officials made matters worse by denying the severity of the problem, questioning the link between HIV and AIDS, and ignoring the need for medication. Often, the government had to be forced to act. For example, the government began to provide pregnant women medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission only after being ordered to do so by South Africa’s High Court. The country’s inaction, mixed messages and misinformation has helped propel it to the epicenter of the worldwide pandemic. Other factors that contribute to the high percentage of HIV/AIDS victims in South Africa are: The impact of HIV/AIDS cannot be overstated. With such a high percentage of the population infected, South Africa’s economy is greatly affected. A loss of productivity, a declining labor force, and rising health care cost will lower the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The perception of instability and risk discourages tourism and foreign investment, further weakening the economy. Families have lost breadwinners. Other family members must miss work or school to care for the indigent. Households must bear the cost of caring for the sick and burying the dead. They must also assume the cost of caring for orphans. The financial strain deepens poverty and prevents the poor from bettering their lives. Out of desperation, the poor and unskilled often turn to migrant work or prostitution. These behaviors facilitate the spread of HIV/AIDS. The social impact for children is enormous. Children must sometimes assume the responsibility of nursing ill and dying parents or caring for orphaned siblings. In addition to losing parents, many children are orphaned multiple times as extended family and subsequent guardians are taken by the disease. HIV/AIDS can devastate a child’s entire world and future. Orphaned children are often stigmatized for having a parent die of HIV/AIDS. The loss of parents constitutes a loss of protectors. These children are frequently marginalized and exploited. Children infected with HIV/AIDS face stigmatism, fear, shame, financial constraints and missed education, along with having to cope with the disease itself. Many times, they do not receive adequate care because their family members are also HIV positive.
South Africa has also had an alarming rise in child and infant rape cases. In 2002, it was estimated that sexual assault against children had increased 400% over the previous decade. Forty percent of rape victims are children. The belief that sex with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS is a factor. In a high profile case in Lesotho, a neighboring country of South Africa, Prince Harry of Great Britain describes his encounter with Liketso, a 10-month-old rape victim:
Liketso’s HIV positive stepfather had been told that sex with a virgin would “cleanse” his condition. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), when administered within 72 hours of rape and continued for a duration of 28 days, has proven to be successful in preventing HIV/AIDS from entering the bloodstream, effectively saving the life of the rape victim. In 2002, the government passed a law to make PEP available to rape victims. Unfortunately, very few of the victims receive this life saving treatment. It is estimated that only 1 in 35 rapes is ever reported. Of those reported, most cases are opened only after the initial 72-hour period in which the drug must be initiated. Sadly, other victims face a second trauma, enduring police interrogation, which is required by law, before a doctor can administer the medication. |