Nomaswazi Zulu* (23) is a sex worker in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal who has been living with HIV since 2018. She has been diligently taking antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to manage her condition. For years, Zulu would make the long journey back home to kwaMaphumulo every three months to collect her medication from the local clinic, which was a 113 km trip.
However, Zulu’s routine changed when she learned about a mobile clinic that visited South Beach on certain nights, where many of her fellow sex workers were receiving their treatment. In March, instead of traveling back home, she decided to wait for the mobile clinic. Unfortunately, the mobile clinic only provided her with a two-week supply of ARVs, and she hasn’t seen it since.
Concerned about running out of medication, Zulu knew she couldn’t afford to miss a single dose as it could lead to viral resistance and potential transmission of the virus to others. Viral suppression is crucial in managing HIV, as it indicates that the virus is undetectable in the blood, making it impossible to pass on to sexual partners.
Unable to travel back home due to financial constraints, Zulu sought help at Gateway Clinic at Addington Hospital. However, she was shocked when a nurse questioned her profession as a sex worker and implied that giving her ARVs would be a waste of resources. The nurse suggested that Zulu should work to afford her medication, leaving her feeling marginalized and discriminated against.
Agiza Hlongwane from the provincial health department acknowledged the challenges faced by Zulu but mentioned that without a formal complaint filed at the hospital, it was difficult to address the issue. Fortunately, Zulu found assistance at Lancer’s Road Clinic nearby.
Megan Lessing from the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) highlighted the barriers that sex workers face in accessing healthcare, including discrimination and stigma within the healthcare system. Lessing mentioned the impact of the withdrawal of U.S. funding on organizations providing services to sex workers, making it challenging for many to access essential medication.
SWEAT is actively working on creating a database of safe spaces for sex workers to access necessary services and support. Sex workers in need of referrals can reach out to the 24-hour helpline at 0800 60 60 60 or send a WhatsApp message to 0713577632 for assistance.
*Not her real name
Phumzile Mkhungo, a freelance journalist from KwaZulu-Natal, contributed to this article.
This article sheds light on the struggles faced by marginalized communities, such as sex workers, in accessing essential healthcare services and underscores the importance of addressing discrimination and stigma in the healthcare system. The Role of Technology in Modern Healthcare
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