The Rhodes HR Division recently hosted a workshop for middle management and supervisors that provided an update on some of the Wellness initiatives that have been launched through their Division and the Health Care Centre, as well as a very informative talk on HIV/AIDS by Dr Kevin Kelly of the Centre for AIDS Development Research & Evaluation (CADRE).
Dr Kelly highlighted some interesting new facts and developments around the HIV/AIDS pandemic and in the process provided certain pointers for Rhodes on how to approach the issue at the University.
One of the key messages emanating from the talk, entitled “Current ideas in HIV response and HIV at Rhodes”, was “know your epidemic and know your response” – select the most appropriate strategies and responses on the basis of comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of HIV & AIDS.
With regard to the spread of the virus, Dr Kelly made the point that multiple, concurrent partnerships are a major driver of the epidemic, because the chances of transmitting the virus are greatest within two to three weeks of being infected. This means that much of the spread of the virus is happening within established relationships rather than in specific sub-sectors of the community (truckers, sex workers, etc.) as was previously thought.
Aside from the widespread occurrence of concurrent partnerships (often due to migrant work conditions), another reason why Africa and other developing countries have a higher prevalence of HIV/AIDS, is age-disparate and intergenerational sex.
Dr Kelly said there were a couple of points that Rhodes needs to consider in its institutional response. Firstly, high-profile voluntary testing drives and HIV/AIDS Awareness Weeks are not of themselves adequate mechanisms for prevention – they must include substantial counselling and deep conversations. Events must not be too isolated, as issues don’t get embedded.
There needs to be more serious engagement so that knowledge is applied to people’s situations and translates into lifestyle changes. In addition, the language issue must be addressed for counselling purposes – it is important that people are able to understand and communicate in their mother tongue.
There needs to be a greater focus on positive prevention, i.e. reducing the onward transmission of HIV, and not just on preventing the virus from spreading among HIV-negative people. This implies working with people who know they are HIV-positive, supporting them and helping them not to pass it on.
It must be recognised that Rhodes is situated within the Makana community, where the Makana Municipal area has been shown to have the second-highest rate of infections in the Province. This particularly impacts on service and support staff, and also serves as a reminder that HIV/AIDS is a family and community issue.
Rhodes needs to link to the HIV groups and events that are taking place in Grahamstown, for instance the HIV Prevention Coalition that is currently taking shape, as a well as a the cohesive plan for Palliative Care. Similarly, peer supporters are an important mechanism and a worthwhile investment for the University, because they also become a resource to their communities.
Sarah Fischer, Director of HR, said she was particularly struck by the notion of conversations around the issue of HIV/AIDS, and that she could see the potential of having meaningful conversations with staff as parents and family members.
Dr Colleen Vassiliou told the meeting that although the official Memorandum of Understanding had not yet been signed with the Department of Health, ARV treatment is now available for Rhodes staff and students at the Health Care Centre, with pre- and post-test counselling by Psychology Masters students every afternoon.
Ms Athina Copteros from the HR Division spoke about the free counselling that is available from FAMSA for Rhodes staff members, and Ms Nonthuthu Faku outlined the process of building the identity and confidence of the HIV/AIDS Peer Supporters Group.
In general, Rhodes is in step with the international trend which focuses on health and wellness and embeds HIV/AIDS within that.
Pic: Director of Human Resources, Sarah Fischer.