Ezempilo English Jan 2012 Magazine

FREE

EDITION 1 • 2012

“SUGAR DADDIES” DESTROY LIVES!

National Health Insurance

! g n i n e p p a h s ’ t i … a h p i k a ‘Z’y

Fighting Disease, Fighting Poverty, Giving Hope

Message from...

Message from KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo 2012: The challenges ahead This year will be groundbreaking because we will be introducing the long awaited National Health Insurance (NHI). The key priorities will be to ensure that (i) the Department fast-tracks the infrastructure development and hospital revitalisation projects, (ii) Districts have social mobilisation and communication plans to popularise the NHI at community levels, (iii) scale up the ‘Make Me Look Like a Hospital’ project at all hospitals and not only those where the NHI will be piloted, and (iv) fast track the strengthening of the hospital management programme.

In preparation for the NHI, our National Minister had started a programme where all hospital managers were assessed for suitability in terms of skills, knowledge and qualifications. Hospitals were also categorised with minimum requirements set for people to manage each category. The assessment reports were sent to individual managers and the Head of Departments to manage the placement of those who were found not to meet the required criterion.

We live in a province where the quadruple burden of disease is most pronounced. We will continue to focus on programs that seek to change this unfortunate situation. To support this, we will also finalise the strengthening of the school health programme by employing and placing appropriately qualified nurses throughout the Province and rolling out the Five Point Contraceptive (family planning) Strategy that was launched by the Premier in October last year.

We are not stopping there. We will also introduce District Obstetric Mentor Teams to ensure that we improve on maternal outcomes, as we want to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV so that no child born to an HIV-positive mother acquires the virus. The province was heralded by the world for the successful reduction of mother to child transmission of HIV from 21% five years ago to a mere 2.3% in 2011.

Other key projects that we will focus on include the scaling up and introduction of the Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) campaign in the private sector, and the intensification of HIV-related programs among high-risk groups such as long distance truckers, taxi drivers and farm workers.

We are kicking off the year by intensifying our campaign to highlight the dangers of sexual relationships between older men and young girls, which lead to teenage pregnancy and HIV infections.

As we begin 2012, let us be reminded that we need sufficiently skilled, professional, motivated and wellsupported healthcare workers who are the bedrock of a healthy nation. Let us therefore work together for a long and healthy life for all South Africans.

INSIDE • DEDICATED STATE HOSPITALS SAVE A GIRL’S LIFE • THE HIV TEST - WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

• PRIMARY HEALTH CARE - THE FUTURE OF HEALTH

• A NOTE FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL • THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

• TEENAGE PREGNANCY CARTOON • POSTNATAL DEPRESSION • KZN HEALTH NEWS

• MALE CIRCUMCISION CAMPAIGN GROWING • GUIDE TO: USING MEDICINES SAFELY • LEPROSY

With thanks from the following contributors: KZN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, KZN HEALTH ZOHRA MOHAMED TEKE (EDITOR) KATHY WADDINGTON (WRITER) COLIWE ZULU (WRITER) DERICK MATSENGARWODZI DEPT PHOTOGRAPHER DERICK MATSENGARWODZI (WRITER) DUDLEY VIALL (CARTOONIST)

Your suggestions and comments are welcome, and if you have been impressed by a health worker who provided an outstanding service, let us know and we will feature them! Contact us on 031 562 9803, editor@ezempilohealthmatters.co.za or write to us on PO Box 25439, Gateway 4321.

COPYRIGHT & ADVERTISING All content published in this magazine remains the copyright of Ezempilo…Health Matters and may be freely reproduced and distributed for educational purposes only, with permission.

All advertising in this magazine is not an official endorsement of KZN Health, Ethekwini Municipality or Ezempilo Health Matters.

DEDICATED STATE HOSPITALS SAVE A GIRL’S LIFE Well done, Inkosi Albert Luthuli and Benedictine Hospitals!

The beginning of January 2011 signalled an end to a welldeserved vacation for Sanele Mathe, a grade eight pupil at Empilweni secondary school in Nongoma. She was looking forward to a new year in grade nine. She had spent the holiday with her sister and it was time to go home to her mother, Thandi Mathe. At home, Thandi waited for her until late at night.

Later that evening, she got a call that changed her life in an instant. Her daughter was in a serious accident. Their bus had overturned, killing eight people and injuring others, including Sanele.

“I completely lost my mind when I heard the news. I just prayed she would survive,” says Thandi.

A doctors’ assessment soon confirmed that Sanele had suffered multiply injuries; mainly to her lower body and that she may never walk again. She was airlifted from Ubombo hospital to Albert Luthuli in Durban and admitted to the intensive trauma unit.

all the nursing staff who provided encouragement, Thandi remained strong and positive. Overjoyed at seeing her mother, Sanele started eating on her own, and even began singing with the group.

Sanele had twenty-five surgical operations during her three months

“I completely lost my mind when I heard the news. I just prayed she would survive...”

Thandi could not visit her daughter for a week, as she could not afford the trip to Durban. Her friends joined her as they prayed for Sanele’s recovery.

Thandi finally visited her daughter after a week using money from wellwishers. What she saw shocked her, but she remained calm for her daughter’s sake. With the assistance from Sanele’s teacher, Zama and

in hospital, with staff going the extra mile to ensure that the young girl was comfortable. KZN Health HOD Dr Sibongile Zungu stopped in to recommend that she receive psychological help to deal with the trauma.

In March, Sanele was transferred to Benedictine District Hospital in Zululand because it was closer to her home and family. When she turned 15 last April, hospital staff arranged a surprise party for her. During the same month, she took her first steps - thanks to regular physiotherapy treatment from Albert Luthuli and the excellent care of staff at Benedictine Hospital.

Sanele is now finally walking again.

After missing school in 2011, she is ready for her studies and she hopes to make up for the year. The Mathe family has nothing but praise for the staff at the two hospitals.

“The staff members at the two hospitals were encouraging and very helpful. We thank them for saving my daughter’s life,” says an emotional Thandi.

EACH ONE... TEACH ONE…

THEWhat’s HIVthe TEST big deal?

When HIV enters the body, the body starts to make antibodies right away to fight the virus. These antibodies usually show in the blood 4 to 8 weeks later, but it can take as long as 6 months to show up in a test. This time between the infection and when the antibodies actually show up in the blood is called ‘the window period’.

The HIV test looks for these antibodies in the blood and is the only way to know if a person has been infected with HIV. It is not a test for AIDS.

What does a positive test mean?

It means that you are infected with the virus and your body has made antibodies to fight the HIV. Even if you feel completely well, you can pass on the virus to others.

What about a negative test result?

This can mean one of two things: You are not infected with HIV or You are infected but have not yet made enough antibodies to test positive (you are still in the window period).

If you have tested negative for HIV but still think you might be infected, you must take a test again in a few

months. Sometimes, a positive test also needs to be repeated. Speak to your health worker who will advise you on this.

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE THE HIV TEST? It is usually more important to change unsafe behaviour than having a test on its own. However, you and your partner may want to be tested if: You want to get married, start a faithful relationship, or have children.

You or your partner have signs of AIDS You or your partner have had unsafe sex

THE ADVANTAGES OF KNOWING THE TEST RESULTS If your test is negative, you can learn how to protect yourself so that you stay negative.

If your test is positive, you can: Prevent the spread of HIV to your partner Get treatment early for health problems Make changes in how you live so you can stay healthy for longer Get support from other HIVinfected people in your community Plan for yourself and your family’s future

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE The Future Of Health

You may have heard something about it. Our government is changing the way that it delivers health services to our people.

It’s called the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan. For many, it’s still confusing. The questions being asked are: 1. Will it provide better health care?

2. How different is it from the current system?

3. Do you have to pay anything?

Let’s make it as easy as possible to understand…

Why do we need a new health system?

Health care is a human right – and should not depend on how much we earn. Even though the government has tried its best to undo the damage caused by apartheid, which provided health services to a minority of the population while ignoring the needs of the majority, the reality is that large numbers of our people continue to die and suffer unnecessarily from poor health. For this reason, government decided to change how health care is delivered, so that every person has a right to health care – no matter what colour, race, age, or religion! It

also wants to make sure that health care is mainly free and that the focus is more on preventing diseases – so that less people get sick!

Our system at the moment is ‘curative’ – what does that mean?

It means that we pay more attention to those who are already sick. There is a great need for doctors, professional nurses and hospitals. Very little attention is given to assisting those that are well to stay well. With the new plan, more attention will be paid to those that are well, and health service delivery will mainly be on people’s

doorsteps rather than in hospitals.

The plan involves and encourages both individuals and communities to take charge and be involved in their own health. Stopping people from getting sick in the first place (preventative approach) is the long-term goal of this plan.

Of course, there will always be a need for hospitals and clinics, but these should not be used for simple conditions that can easily be treated by a community health worker. That way, our health facilities will not be overcrowded, and will be able to offer the best possible care to those who really need it. This will reduce costs that can be spent more effectively on training more nurses, community health workers, midwives and doctors.

Prevention is better than cure Under the NHI, there will be more community health workers trained to identify health needs and follow up on home visits. This can be simple things like the importance of washing hands, which can reduce infections by 75% just because of the low risk of spreading germs!

How will government make sure that people everywhere are educated about health issues?

Part of the department of health’s strategy is a project called: operation Sukuma Sakhe. This project focuses mainly on community involvement in taking charge of their wellbeing, including their health. Health posts will be established in the communities, which will be used as information hubs. In the war room meetings at ward level, information sharing and education will take place when health related matters are raised. Health

governance structures like hospital boards and clinic committees will be empowered to educate people too.

The

Department

of

Health

will

understand where the problems are and what needs to be done in that facility to improve service delivery, so that it is able to provide free health care under the new health plan. From April, they will roll out the first test phase of the new health plan to ten selected districts around the country, so that all problems are sorted out before it is finally implemented across the country.

Will the new health plan be free for all kinds of services?

establish what they call Primary Health Care centres. We have PHC centres at present, but the idea is to expand on these so that there are fewer burdens on hospitals. That way, if someone in the community falls sick, he or she can visit the PHC centre.

What about doctors?

Every Primary Health Care Centre will have doctors who will be able to assess whether you need further treatment and will refer you to the nearest hospital. The Department of Health is already rolling out a program to train and recruit more doctors, so that when the new health plan is fully enforced within the next 14 years, our facilities are equipped to cope.

It’s not going to be something that will happen overnight!

So will this only happen in 14 years?!

No. Starting from April this year, the government will start ‘testing’ some areas that have the resources and skills to see how the new health plan will work. It has already started evaluating all our state hospitals and clinics to make sure that they

Not all kinds of services will be free. All essential health services will be free. Certain services that upon assessment are thought to be ‘nice to have’ (cosmetics) will not be covered. A list of services will be made known to the people.

Does it mean that health facilities can treat you any way they like because it’s free?

No. In fact, under the new health plan, government will have strict guidelines that every provider who is on the NHI must comply with. This means that they will have to apply certain standards, and a watchdog body called the Office of Health Standards Compliance will be established by an Act of Parliament to make sure that standards are met.

Will people be required to pay NHI contributions in 2012?

Not this year, as the plan is still in the testing stage. Eventually, every employed person will be expected to contribute something towards the funding – but this will depend on your income. Government will not expect you to pay when you cannot afford to do so. A special Conditional Grant will be provided in the 2012 budget to fund the pilot projects.

A note from...

The South

African Nursing Council As we celebrate the beginning of a new year and on behalf of my colleagues on the South African Nursing Council (SANC), I would like to thank all nurses for the continued caring service that you offer to health care users.

Last year, we all participated in a groundbreaking Nursing Summit, where we were not just cleaning up a crisis. We were there to build the future of the nursing profession.

To assure quality health care for the poor that was previously reserved for the rich.

So as we begin this year, we need to remind ourselves of the central issue to that future – the delivery of quality health care.

To slow the growth of health care inequities in our society.

This year also kick-starts the testing of our government’s planned roll out of the National Health Insurance, and National Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, does not mince his words when he says that “nurses are the bedrock of the NHI”.

It’s a plan that asks not just government, but everyone, to take responsibility for meeting the challenge of health inequity especially health care workers.

We already know where we should

built on primary health care with a focus on keeping people healthy.

If we want patients to make prevention a priority, then they need the knowledge and choices to stay healthy – long before they even get to the clinic. And if we want quality to improve, then everyone needs the information to measure what works and what does not. In this regard, the role of a nurse as an advocate for patients becomes paramount.

“We have to do better: better health, better care, and better commitment. The core of our work today is about improving lives and ensuring peace of mind.”

We have to do better: better health, better care, and better commitment. The core of our work today is about improving lives and ensuring peace of mind. It’s about getting the right care to the right person at the right time - each and every time.

The National Health Insurance seeks to meet three basic goals.

To provide more security and stability to all citizens in health care delivery.

be going - towards nursing care that is responsive to the health needs of society through provision of relevant, timely and ethical nursing care.

We have a clear mandate and work to do. We are an integral part of our country’s health workforce, committed to a high-performing, patient-centred health care system

The Nursing Council fully supports the initiation of the NHI and will continue setting education and practice standards aimed at providing career-focussed and servic- oriented nurses to users of our health services.

In this moment, we have an opportunity – let’s seize it. Together, we can take what works, build on that foundation, and bring quality care to every citizen.

Ms Nonhlanhla Makhanya, Chairperson SANC.

Through the keyhole:

It’s all about Teamwork:

BENEDICTINE HOSPITAL, ZULULAND In 2011, 15-year-old Sanele Mathe, a patient who had suffered multiple fractures in an accident, was transferred to Benedictine District Hospital in remote Nongoma from Inkosi Albert Luthuli in Durban where she had received intensive trauma care. Eric Ntsele, the assistant nursing manager at Benedictine Hospital, knew that it would be a big test for the hospital, which was already struggling to recruit health professionals due to its rural location. But it was also seen as an opportunity to prove their capabilities despite the challenges they faced.

“When Sanele was admitted here, she came from a high level institution in Durban to a district hospital. That made us work harder and prove that we can do something positive for our patients despite our location”, explains Eric.

faced. “I come from a poor family and I encountered many social challenges when I was growing up, but I managed to succeed and become a nurse,” says Busisiwe.

In 1969, when she was only nine, she lost six of her brothers and sisters after they were struck by a bolt of

herself to the same hospital.

Her colleague shares the vision of caring for patients despite the lack of resources or daily challenges facing the hospital. “I believe in motivating my patients to have hope for the future. You must have self confidence and take the hospital as your own home and treat patients like lost your family,” says Eric.

“Sanele needed more help because she could not do anything for herself. She lay on one position “In 1969, when she was only nine, she all the time. If you tried to turn six of her brothers and sisters after they were or clean her, she would cry in struck by a bolt of lightning at their home...” Like Busisiwe, Eric had a difficult childhood, often going pain. But we understood her for days on an empty stomach. condition and all did the best we lightning at their home. Busisiwe and He explains how the hunger made could for her. It was a big test to her mother were the only survivors. him determined to improve his life have a young patient who was told that she would never walk again,” Despite her family’s struggles, through education. recalls Busisiwe Ntanzi, the women’s surgical ward operational manager.

Busisiwe and Eric are two staff members at the hospital who have dedicated their lives to the profession despite various challenges they

she enrolled for general nursing training at Benedictine and was later employed there, where she went on to specialise in orthopaedics.

Twenty-six years later, she remains as passionate as ever about her profession and continues to dedicate

Together with their colleagues, they have proved that the will and spirit of a person can overcome life’s challenges. Thank you to Benedictine Hospital staff for your inspiring dedication to caring for others!

JUST HAD A BABY AND

YOU’RE

DEPRESSED? You could be suffering from postnatal depression.

You often hear stories about a newborn baby having been dumped in a bin somewhere, left alone to freeze or starve to death.

Often, it is the cry that alerts a stranger to the rescue. More often, the baby dies, unwanted and unloved. Often, we wonder how a mother can be so cruel as to do the unthinkable – dump a baby after carrying it for nine months and then giving birth?

Now some experts are saying that while it remains a mystery, there are

concerns that postnatal depression may have something to do with this shocking behaviour.

To understand this, it’s important to identify the symptoms and seek help before it is too late – for you and baby.

What is postnatal depression?

It’s a mental illness that affects a new mother just after she gives birth to her child – usually within the first two or three months. The common signs are:

Bursting into tears for no reason Feeling emotional and like you cannot cope with anything around you, including baby Feeling tired all the time Feeling stressed all the time and just wanting to sleep rather than care for baby

What does it mean to have postpartum ‘blues’?

Many women feel ‘let down’ a

few days after giving birth. This is called the postpartum ‘blues’.

With encouragement and support from family and friends, this usually improves after a few days. If it is much more severe and prolonged, then you must seek help as you will need medical treatment to help it get better.

admit to how you feel, people in the community may think that you’re a bad mother.

Ante-Natal Check Ups KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo and his team have been driving home the importance of

They helped me understand it and gave me advice on how to cope. I felt a lot better because I understood what I was going through, and I knew that I was not going mad. It lasted for 2 months and then I was ok - at least I knew how to cope, so I’m grateful to my clinic for explaining it to me,” says Joyce, who now encourages all the pregnant women in her community to go for regular checkups and make sure that they understand postnatal depression, so that they can get help when they feel that they cannot cope.

“I knew that I was not going mad. It lasted for 2 months and then I was ok - at least I knew how to cope, so I’m grateful to my clinic for explaining it to me...”

Often, postpartum depression may occur without any obvious cause. However, if you are struggling to cope with the care of baby because of social circumstances (e.g. you may be a teenage mother, single parent or unable to cope financially), this may lead to depression. If you do feel that your social circumstances are the real cause of your depression, ask to be referred to a social worker to see if your situation can be improved.

How does it affect you in a rural area?

At least one in ten women suffers from postnatal depression, but there are a lot more women out there who don’t report it. The truth is that it is not always culturally acceptable to admit that you may be suffering from a mental condition, or that you can’t handle your baby. You may also be afraid because you don’t know whom to turn to and are worried that if you

pregnant women attending antenatal clinics. One of the reasons is that the care given prepares women for what to expect after childbirth, including the possibility of postnatal depression and how to cope.

Joyce Shezi is a mother of four who gave birth to her fourth child a year ago. “I never had any problems with my three children, but with the fourth one, I was feeling very sad all the time.

I would wake up and just start crying as though someone had died. I felt terrible because I did not want to hold my baby, and my mother was very worried that I would harm my child one day. After three weeks, I went to the clinic and they told me I was suffering from postnatal depression.

Treatment Speak to your health worker about medical treatment available – he or she may be able to give you something to help calm you down and cope.

Confide in someone you trust, so that you don’t feel alone. This may be someone at church, the pastor, community leader, traditional healer, family or friend.

At least one in ten women suffers from postnatal depression, so you are not alone. Know that it will pass, and try to stay calm and focused.

Don’t take it out on your baby – he or she is an innocent gift of life to you.

CALL KZN HEALTH 24/7 IF YOU NEED HELP ON 0800 00 51 33

Fighting Disease, Fighting Poverty, Giving Hope

KZN HEALTH NEWS Fighting Disease, Fighting Poverty, Giving Hope

KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has kicked off the year with a strong message for Sugar Daddies. The term loosely refers to a relationship between an older man and a young girl – who could be as young as 14 in some cases.

The campaign comes as rising teenage pregnancies in the province were seen as a result of this relationship, with many young girls tricked into leaving school and having unprotected sex with an older man. Most often, the girl is promised a better life, with clothing and spending money. However, once she falls pregnant, she is left alone with the baby and the older man moves on to his next victim – leaving the young girl without education and with the responsibility of parenting a child when she is not an adult herself.

The young mother is often also left with a sexually transmitted infection or HIV. “Our message to families and communities is: don’t let your loved ones get involved with a sugar daddy, and to the girls: don’t get involved with a sugar daddy,” says department spokesperson Chris Maxon.

He explains that a number of studies “agree that young girls [14 to 25] are four times more at risk of acquiring HIV than their male peers of the same age. The sexual debut for girls is as low as 12 years and mostly coerced, and we know that in this province, 10% of all births are to teenagers,” adds Maxon.

‘News that young girls line national roads at night offering sex for pay to truck drivers, and teachers impregnating pupils and/or parents dropping statutory rape cases in favour of “umqhoyiso” (a penalty for de-flowering a teenager or virgin in Zulu custom) were rampant. These facts are not news to South Africans, especially Africans. We now know that 99% of males [14 to 20] who come forward for male circumcision are HIV negative. However, among girls of the same age, the prevalence is 10%. “Now, if these girls were sleeping with their male peers they

would only get pregnant. But they become pregnant and also get HIV,” said Maxon, concluding that the men who make them pregnant and infect them had to be older.

As part of the campaign, the Department has already embarked on a media drive, with billboards at taxi ranks around the province, as well as posters, pamphlets and radio and TV adverts warning about the dangers of young girls having sexual relationships with older men.

The message by the Department is aimed at driving home the point that young girls should not be tricked into thinking that their problems will be solved if they give in to sex with an older man. This only leads to unwanted pregnancies, HIV, and other life threatening complications.

School first, relationship later, is what is being encouraged.

MALE CIRCUMCISION CAMPAIGN GROWING

Have you done it yet?

KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo is well known for travelling all over KZN, checking on hospitals and clinics unannounced, making sure that they are delivering health to the standards expected.

Since the launch of the Medical Male Circumcision campaign, following calls by His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini, Dr Dhlomo has been driving the campaign to rural corners to ensure as many men as possible come forward to be circumcised.

“We all know that since the launch of the circumcision custom by His Majesty in April 2010, Sisonke district is amongst the two districts that have been lagging behind in terms of the uptake and has only 417 circumcisions that were done by the end of September 2010. However we were very happy that our District Manager, Mrs Gcina Radebe as well as our Provincial Male Medical Circumcision (MMC) Programme Coordinator, Dr Sandile Tshabalala took an initiative to investigate the reasons for the poor uptake and to also to market and popularise the programme in this community,” said MEC Dhlomo recently during a circumcision program in greater Kokstad.

Addressing the gathered crowd, including officials, MEC Dhlomo said that the transition from boyhood to manhood is seen as a responsibility not only of the individual but also the family, the community leadership (traditional, religious, political) and all significant others.

“This is a very proud moment for all of us, a repeat of what happened last year during the Umkhosi wokubuya Entabeni where we were invited to join the Greater Kokstad community in welcoming the initiates back from the mountain,” said MEC Dhlomo.

In saluting the young men who turned up for their circumcision, the MEC said “we are also here to inform you that HIV is one of the greatest challenges facing South Africa with an

effect against HIV is only partial, that the medical male circumcision is an additional preventive measure and not a substitute for other proven HIV prevention methods.

Our intention for coming here is to request you to hold steadfast on all the teachings that you got from both the leaders and your peers and ensure that you remain HIV negative for the rest of you lives. This will be accomplished only when you stick to the following: • Delay primary sexual debut • Do not get involved in the reckless practice of having multiple partners • Promote the correct and consistent use of condoms

“Medical Male Circumcision

• Refrain from alcohol and substance abuse

does reduce the risk of men

• Respect and project women

acquiring HIV infection by 60 percent.” estimated 5.2 million people infected.

Our Province accounts for 25.8% of that total. Medical Male Circumcision does reduce the risk of men acquiring HIV infection by 60 percent. It should be understood that this protective

Through you we would like to reduce mortality and morbidity due to HIV and AIDS and other STIs. We also want to protect our women folk as MMC does provide an indirect benefit to them by reducing the number of men who are HIV-infected, thereby decreasing male-to-female HIV transmission”.

Guide to:

Using Medicines Safely

Medicines can be used effectively to heal and treat many diseases, whether they are remedies from traditional or modern medicine. But it’s important to use them safely. Used improperly, medicines can hurt and even kill you.

For example, some medicines can cause health problems for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman and her baby.

Or, if you fail to take your medicine it’s important to follow these correctly, it may also cause guidelines so that you get the more harm than good. best benefit from using them:

Some people think that you always need medicine to get better! But the truth is that medicine can only treat health problems – not solve the conditions or behaviour that cause them. Anytime you use medicine,

• Be sure that the medication is necessary.

• Get good instructions from the health worker or traditional healer who recommended it. You should know:

- How much to take.

- How often to take it each day and for how many days.

• Take the full amount required.

If you stop taking the medicine too soon, the problem may come back.

• Know the warning signs for any problems that the medicine may

cause (read the side effects).

• Know if it reacts badly with some foods and ask whether you should take it before or after eating.

• Avoid taking many medicines at the same time. Some medicines can stop others from working.

• Make sure the package is labelled.

Avoid medicines that are old: It is best to use a medicine before its expiry date. This date is written in small print on the package or the bottle. Sometimes, expired medicine

is better than no medicine at all, but do not use them if they are: • Pills that are starting to fall apart or change colour • Capsules that are stuck together or have changed shape • Clear liquids that are cloudy • Injections • Eye drops • Medicine that requires mixing

Remember that the following people need to be careful and must get advice before taking medicine:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (anything they take can be passed onto the baby, causing harm).

• People with a long-term liver or kidney disease. Your liver and kidneys clear the medicine from your body; if they are not working well, then the medicine may build up and become poisonous.

• Those suffering from a stomach ulcer. Medicines such as aspirin can cause bleeding in the stomach and/or a painful burning feeling.

WARNING: IF YOU HAVE TAKEN A MEDICINE AND THEN GET A SKIN RASH, SWELLING OF THE MOUTH OR HAVE DIFFICULTY BREATHING, GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.

Side Effects!

Medicines fight disease but can also cause other effects if used incorrectly! Before taking medicine, always find out about the side effects. Also, always check with a health worker before taking any medication if: • You are taking other medicines.

• You are giving medicine to a child – they have smaller bodies and may need to take less, or the medicine may not be suitable for children.

• You are elderly or undernourished – older people may need a smaller dosage of some medicines because it stays in their body longer.

• STOP taking medicine and see your health worker if you experience any of the following: • Dizziness • Vomiting • Stomach cramps • Headache • Ringing in your ears • Fast breathing, or out of breath.

Awareness this month:

Focus on Leprosy WHAT IS LEPROSY? Leprosy is a skin disease, commonly known as Hansen’s disease. It is usually identified by sores and boils on the skin. But it’s important to know the facts about the condition instead of believing what you hear about it.

Leprosy is incurable – not true!

Leprosy is treatable with specific drugs available on the market today.

Leprosy is extremely contagious – not true!

The reality is that most people are naturally immune to the disease, and with those that are not, transmission is still unlikely. More than 90% of the world’s population possesses total immunity to leprosy and close contact with those infected does not mean that you automatically become infected by it. Simple contact with a leper does not mean infection.

This is highly unlikely, if not outright impossible.

SYMPTOMS OF LEPROSY: Mainly affects the skin and nerves; often in the form of boils and sores.

Skin patches with little or no feeling.

Thickening of the skin or lumps, especially on the face and ears.

Pain, tenderness and/or thickening of a nerve (usually near the joints).

Loss of feeling or weakness of fingers and/or toes.

Loss of eyebrows, nosebleeds and a blocked nose.

CHALLENGE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF SOCIETY TO LEPROSY:

TREATMENT:

A major problem for leprosy patients is that they are often ostracised due to their disabilities and the fear that many people have of the disease.

The Leprosy Mission in KZN runs a training programme that educates the community on the condition and provides support to those affected by it.

Leprosy can be successfully treated, usually for between 6 months to 2 years, depending on how severely a person is affected. The best time to start treatment is as soon as signs of leprosy appear.

Treatment reduces the risk of the person spreading leprosy.

Treatment reduces the person’s risk of getting disabilities.

Leprosy is a curable disease and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LEPROSY: Leprosy can be cured.

Do not fear it. Treat it.

Leprosy is not the result of a curse.

There is no need to isolate a person with leprosy.

People with leprosy who go untreated risk getting disabilities.

Leprosy is not highly infectious.

People with leprosy can stay with their families and remain active.

A LEPROSY CONTROL PROGRAMME IS IN OPERATION IN KZN. THERE ARE 4 FACILITIES THAT PROVIDE THE SERVICE ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS: Edendale Hospital - on the last Thursday of every month Prince Mshiyeni - on the last Friday of every month Manguzi – twice a year (Jan/Aug) Madadeni – every second month