(11 Aug 2020) Every day Sibongile Zulu needs to take a combination of drugs to fight HIV.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
Without them her immune system will fail.
SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Sibongile Zulu, 47, HIV patient
"For two months I was using only one, I was supposed to use two. And if I don't use both of them it's a big risk and I can get sick."
But her clinic in downtown Johannesburg ran out of the medicines she so desperately needs.
Throughout Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply of antiretroviral drugs. Factories stopped producing them.
NGODWANA, SOUTH AFRICA
Nurse Nomautanda Siduna was hired when the pandemic broke out to make sure HIV patients receive their drugs.
SOUNDBITE (English) Nomautanda Siduna, Nurse, North Star Alliance
"We set up a gazebo or we move to the house, so that we minimize as much as we can their risk of getting in touch with outside people and the environment that they're not used to."
UPSOUND (English): "So for you to be able to fight this thing, this monster, this COVID-19, you must always take you medication, same time every day."
Siduna also goes door-to-door to help sex workers get their medication and teach them about the dangers of COVID-19.
UPSOUND (English): "You should know that with COVID out there you must take your treatment and you must use a condom when you're sleeping with anyone."
SOUNDBITE (English) Pretty Mkhabela, 34, HIV patient
"Yes, I'm scared. When I work with my client, I also use a mask and my client also uses a mask."
UPSOUND (English): "You said it's finished. So here's your tenemine for one month."
Sibongile Zulu has now found a foundation that is helping her get the HIV medication she needs to stay alive
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