The HIVEX treatment centre has been operational in Commercial City in Durban for three months. A diverse group of people, of different races, cultures, ages and genders has visited the centre either for treatment or to find out more about this extraordinary process.
People have come individually, hoping to be treated away from the “eyes” of family and friends, deeply locked in the self-imposed prison of stigma. There have been couples who have presented for treatment too, anxious to free their relationship of the burden of HIV. The centre has also enjoyed the company of a whole family coming for treatment. Some have travelled inter-continentally showing great faith in creating a better life.
Most newcomers enter a large room feeling anxious to expose themselves to the others who are there for treatment. But they are soon embraced into the spirit of the environment which is about sharing and healing. People reach out to each other to share deeply with each other. This becomes an unstructured and organically developed support group, that evolves dynamically as people come and finally leave to start a new life.
Some weeks ago, a man in his mid-thirties came from treatment sporting a big bandage around his neck. Beneath this dressing was a hugely inflamed glandular abcess that looked angry and uncomfortable. The man was weak and could hardly walk, having been emaciated by the effects of HIV on his immune system. Within days, he reacted like the proverbial phoenix as his energy levels were restored and he was capable of easy interaction with his fellow treatment patients.
At the centre during this time, was a pretty nurse who arrived with her delightfully behaved young daughter. Before long, one noticed the interest that had developed between the nurse and the man with the bandaged neck. Cupid has no boundaries and right in the heart of healing, a new love relationship was borne.
More recently, late one afternoon, amid the chatter of a small group of people being treated, a vibrant woman started offering her treatment buddies lingerie for sale! All sorts of exotic ladies underwear suddenly started being displayed which instantly broke any remaining formality in the group. Laughter became the order of the day as several humorous taunts suggested which underwear would most suit the two men in that group.
From the intense seriousness surrounding treating HIV to the jocular humour of a lingerie sale! HIVEX is transcending barriers and may well prove to be an antidote to breaking stigma in time to come. Right in the heart of something so very serious, emerges the human desire to laugh and be joyful.
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