The effects and management of HIV/AIDS in Kgalagadi District, in the Northern Cape

Abstract

This research intended to assess the services provided by all the stakeholders in Kgalagadi district, Northern Cape with the view of suggesting ways of improving services rendered to HIV/ AIDS victims in an effective and efficient manner. The study involved a review and analysis of the services provided by the NGOs, Department of Health and Traditional Healers in the district and whether or not the recipients who received assistance were satisfied with the provision of service by the stakeholders. The techniques used to collect data in this study were structured interviews and questionnaires for the service providers. Semi structured interviews were conducted with religious denominations with participants who are knowledgeable about the HIV/AIDS policy of the government of South Africa. The data collected revealed that there was lack of knowledge and, dissatisfaction among participants about services provided by the stakeholders in the district. One of the major complaints was that Churches and Traditional Healers do not attend to victims of HIV/AIDS immediately. In some instances, victims commit suicide after the first HIV/ AIDS preliminary tests conducted by clinics and hospitals. The conclusion drawn from the presented data was that there was a serious need for pre-counseling and post-counseling to victims of HIV/ AIDS in the district. The recommendations drawn form this study are that efficiency and cost effectiveness should be improved by using government employed health providers and monitoring and evaluating the progress of victims of the disease in the district. The research study concludes that the service of the stakeholders must be transformed to make the service accessible and effective through capacity building. And that appropriate evaluation and monitoring of the service be done to ensure quality of care and decent life for the people of the district and value for money.