Food Vs Anti-retroviral drugs

When i was carrying out field work in Swaziland this summer, i spoke to HIV positive patients who complained that the biggest challenge they face regarding their health status was being too poor to afford food ( read here). HIV patients need to have enough food in their system before taking Anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) you see. The issue is most cannot afford to feed themselves. They are either too sick to work or get fired from their jobs because of their health status. If there is no food in the system before the drugs are ingested, the side effects are VERY undesirable. Due to this, its common to find people skipping ARV medications even though they know they are putting their health at risk . In Swaziland, i heard patients sell their ARVs  to buy food but i never knew who they sold it to and what those people used ARVS for. I just found that out thanks to a report from Kenya.  HIV patients sell their ARVs for money to buy food...and those that buy it off them use it to make an alcoholic concoction mixed with formalin...and they sell this alcoholic concoction to unsuspecting customers. Watch the video below to see how its done. I wonder why HIV organisations do not have a food plan..or would that be asking for too much since they already provide free ARVs? the truth is if these people were not so poor there would be no need to sell their ARVS. In the end man will do whatever it takes to survive and this is one of those instances. This is yet another proof that Africa needs sustainable solutions to problems not quick fixes. Poverty alleviation should be the focal point of most organisations. Without that, every other initiative might not reach full potential.






Its very difficult to judge these women. It is survival of the fittest. This is what happens when man is subjected to harsh conditions. On a brighter note, they are very entrepreneurial and they do recycle.