Food for thought in the treatment of HIV in South Africa

Antiretroviral therapy given to people with HIV can cause insufferable side-effects if the patient lacks a healthy diet
a homecare worker in Tsakane
Millicent Mabisela is HIV positive and works as a homecare worker in Tsakane. Photograph: Charlie Shoemaker

Millicent Mabisela is one of 10 homecare workers sitting on damp wooden benches in a small tin-shack "office". Huddled together under ragged blankets, they contemplate their patients for the day. "So many of them are not taking their ARV medication properly," she says, referring to the free antiretroviral therapy given to those infected with HIV. "They don't have money to buy food and without a healthy diet the side-effects of the medication can be insufferable."

Thirty-one-year-old Mabisela does not know how she contracted HIV, but went to get tested after her boyfriend, who is also HIV positive, became very ill. "I too used to suffer with severe side-effects such as cramp, sickness, migraines and tremors, and would sometimes default [from the treatment]. At least now I am a carer I can get food with my stipend."

"The government should help its people," says Meryl Arries, in support of her friend, "[with] food parcels for those desperately ill and employment opportunities for others who can work."

NGOs offer food to people too sick or vulnerable to work, but sometimes the funds are simply not there. Sejo, a highly nutritious, sorghum-based porridge is a cheap and readily available alternative to a varied diet, which helps the ARVs work.

"If funding levels allowed us to offer Sejo to our patients," says Mabisela, "it would make such a difference and undoubtedly save lives."