(click HERE for the Zulu version of this text)
UNKULUNKULU UNATHI AIDS PROJECT
“Izwi laba inyama, yahlala phakathi kwethu”
From the outset, the Church’s apostolic mission in the area covered by the Vicariate Apostolic of Ingwavuma was aptly expressed in the words of Jesus Christ Himself: “I have come that they might have life – life to the full.” (Jn. 10,10).
Like Jesus himself in his mission, who did not confine himself simply to preaching but was concerned for the poor, the hungry and the sick, in the 1950’s our first missionaries were concerned with establishing schools and hospitals in areas where they did not exist. By the 1970s, the then KwaZulu government was able to assume this role and so our schools were handed over the government. So also, many clinics, hospitals and our own Good Shepherd Nursing Service. The reasons were simple: lack of personnel and the finances to continue to pay personnel.
When the AIDS pandemic first began to ravage our area in the 1990s the church again did pioneering work, firstly in establishing a home based care programme, and in 2004 providing anti-retrovirals. At that time the government had not started to do so.
The funding for the ART programme came from the US government’s PEPFAR programme (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). These funds were channelled to South Africa through the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the AIDS Office of the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) in Pretoria.
In collaboration with Hlabisa Hospital and Africa Centre, points of service were established throughout the Mpukunyoni and Hlabisa areas where anti-retrovirals were provided to the people. The project was later expanded to the Kwa-Ngwanase area.
Gradually, the South African Department of Health began to provide care to more and more people. The US government’s funding was time limited until the South African government’s programme was in place. The US government has decided that as from 2013 the PEPFAR programme will end and future funds will be channelled to the South African Department of Health.
The church, after doing pioneering work in the field of medicine does not have the resources to continue this treatment programme. The vacuum in ARV treatment which had existed is now being filled by the Dept. of Health.
Consequently, our SACBC AIDS office in Pretoria has directed us to gradually wind down our programme, beginning in the KwaNgwanase area and, as indicated by the Department of Health, all patients to be transferred to government hospitals and clinics. This means the gradual transfer of patients to government care and the ending of contracts with adherence monitors, counsellors and medical staff. The total programme will be wound up by May, 2012
We are indebted to all our workers, caregivers, monitors, counsellors, nurses, doctors and administrative staff who over the past years have shown loyal service to the project. We pray that the Good Lord will reward them for their generous service.
We are equally indebted to all our benefactors in S. Africa, USA, Europe, who belong to church organizations and individual donors who helped our programme over the last ten years. May you too be blessed for your generosity.
Very sincerely yours in Christ,
Bishop Jose Luis Ponce de Leon, IMC
(Vicar Apostolic of Ingwavuma)
Fr. Patrick M Loftus, OSM
(Chairman Vicariate AIDS Com.tee)
Sr. C. K. Khumalo
(Coordinator uNkulunkulu uNathi AIDS Committee)
