He says back then no one knew anything about the
disease and the information that doctors had was very
sketchy. So he took it up to himself to find out more about
the disease. “I read books about HIV and I tried to connect
with people who were HIV positive but as you can imagine
people were very scared to come out,” he explains.
Thabile Ndlovu, 32, Edwards fiancée and an HIV/AIDS
counsellor, says “we met seven years ago, at that time he
was going in and out of depression and I was there for him
as a friend. Then he proposed that we date. It was a bit
problematic but we dated anyways.”
Ndlovu had a hard time convincing her family and friends
that Edwards was the right man for her. The two love
birds have adjusted to each other’s lifestyles. As part
of planning future the two went around searching for a
medical aid that will cater for Edwards needs. “We found
Bonitas and actually discovered that they have a special
programme designed for people living with HIV and we
quickly contacted the Bonitas call centre. We have been
with them ever since,” they explained.
The programme caters to the needs of patients and
provides treatment and tools that will allow them to
live a normal life. It acts as a care-coordinator between
Bonitas, doctors, pathology labs, pharmacies and patients
supported by a team of respected clinicians in their fields.
What does the programme offer?
Medicine to treat HIV (including drugs to prevent
mother-to-child transmission and infection after sexual
assault or needle-stick injury)
• Treatment of opportunistic infections such as
pneumonia, TB and flu
• Regular pathology tests to monitor disease
progression and response to therapy
• Regular pathology tests to detect possible
side-effects of treatment
• HIV related consultations to visit your doctor to
monitor your clinical status
• On-going patient support via a team of trained and
experienced counsellors
• Clinical guidelines and telephonic support for
doctors
• Help in finding a registered counsellor for
face-to-face emotional support
How do I register?
Step 1
Know your status. If you are worried that you might be
infected with HIV, ask your doctor or clinic to test you.
Remember, all members are entitled to one free HIV test a
year at a participating clinic or Bonitas wellness day.
Step 2
If your results are positive, call 0860 100 646 and request
an application form to join the HIV/AIDS programme.
Step 3
Complete the form and fax it to 0800 600 773 or email it
to [email protected].
AID FOR AIDS
Call: 0860 100 646
Fax: 0800 600 773
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.aidforaids.co.za
Mobi-site: www.aidforaids.mobi
Please call me: 083 410 9078
Bonitas Member Magazine 2016 Issue 4
Page 16