Love Life

Live Healthy

(Pic: professionals from Siloah at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve)

Siloah Lutheran TB Hospital is just outside Louwsberg in a remote setting called Ehlomohlomo. This clinic has saved many South African lives, and I can personally vouch for that. One of my staff members was seriously ill with TB and AIDs, and they pulled her through (her CD4 count was 5!!! A healthy person’s is 1,000). 

Today she is a strapping young lass holding down a good job.

In northern Zululand TB and HIV/ AIDs has taken its toll. 

Education and a healthy lifestyle are huge contributors to halting this epidemic.

Pakamisa Private Game Reserve invited Siloah in September 2013 to do a workshop for their staff of 35. They repeated the process again this year. Today’s clinic was a huge success now that the employees are more acquainted with the Siloah professionals.

As one ranger said “It is good to know this information. We have learnt a lot and we will share it with our communities. It is important to know your status.”

5 German volunteers, working at Pakamisa, were amazed at this level of interaction. “We really appreciated being involved. I have not seen this been done in Europe for HIV/ AIDs awareness. Sure, we practice safe sex, but that’s to protect us against STDs and unwanted pregnancies. There were some awkward moments during the lectures, but I was amazed how open everyone was and the number of questions that were asked.”

Sister Dlamini, from Siloah, was also very pleased with the success of today’s clinic and felt that a partnership and a bond has been established between Siloah and Pakamisa, and this will surely lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Siloah is only funded by the Department of Health as their contract with USAID recently expired. The hospital has 145 beds. Occupancy is seasonal with the hotter months being higher. Most patients are admitted for 2 months for full recovery. This period has been shortened now that oral medication for TB is available and treatment can be administered at home. 

Patients qualify for ARVs immediately, if necessary. There is no waiting period.

It is encouraging that lodges in remote areas, like Pakamisa, are enabling their staff to have access to this level of education and treatment.

Indeed – love life, live healthy.

Amen.

Other blogs by Lois Kuhle:

SMOKE RINGS IN CUBA. A TWO WEEK JOURNEY FILLED WITH SALSA, SUNSHINE AND SILLY PEOPLE: http://smokeringsincuba.blogspot.com/2013/10/smoke-rings-in-cuba-journey-filled-with.html

'LIFE'S COOL'. MY NEAREST AND DEAREST BECAME THOSE THAT GRUNTED, BARKED OR BIT.

http://milimanilifescool.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-n-2002-i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-given.html

COOL THOUGHTS – LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE: http://loiscoolthoughts.tumblr.com/

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/loiskuhlescribbler