AHF Global Board Member Dr Rodney Wright pictured at the HIV medication dispensary Pele Box
By Staff Reporter
UMLAZI, DURBAN — At K Clinic in Umlazi, south of Durban, the fight against HIV is no longer only about access to medication. For patients and staff, daily realities such as crime, hunger, and stigma are proving just as dangerous as the virus itself.
In recent months, healthcare workers have reported hijackings of vehicles transporting antiretroviral treatment (ART). In one shocking incident, a staff member was held at gunpoint inside the clinic while delivering medication. For patients, this means arriving at the clinic only to find essential medicines never made it past the gates. This has become a scary reality that faces the clinic staff.
Nurse Noluthando Nthombela, Operational Manager at K Clinic, described her own terrifying experience in February 2025 when she was hijacked inside the clinic premises. She said incidents like these discourage patients from collecting their HIV medication. “Some patients tell us they are robbed of their treatment while waiting for transport to go home. Experiences like this stop people from coming back,” Nthombela said.
She urged the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to work closely with the government to strengthen safety strategies so patients can access treatment without fear. KwaZulu-Natal remains South Africa’s hardest-hit province, with more than one in four adults living with HIV.
Rodney Wright, a New York-based AHF board member, visited Umlazi and said the challenges highlighted both progress and gaps in the fight against HIV. “It is disappointing that in 2025 so many are still becoming infected, but even more concerning that those already diagnosed are being forced off treatment by crime and hunger,” Wright said.
Despite these challenges, AHF recently reached a milestone of 2.5 million people in care worldwide, even amid international funding cuts. South African board member Diana Hoorzuk emphasised that patient safety and dignity are as important as access to medication. “Communities cannot fight HIV if they are living in fear or going hungry,” she said.
For patients like Jenny Buoys, 59, who has lived with HIV for 25 years, the progress is real. “When I started, there was no treatment at all. It has not been an easy journey, but I believe I was given a second chance at life. That’s why I tell young people: get tested, take your treatment, and look after yourself,” she said.
Dr Logandran Naidoo, AHF’s National Medical Director, said stigma among young people remains a pressing challenge. “The youth still carry a stigma about HIV. What we need now are more advanced treatment options, such as long-acting injectables, which could make it easier for them to stay on therapy. If NGOs work together, these solutions can become affordable and accessible,” he explained.
Injectable HIV treatment, which allows patients to receive medication monthly or even biannually instead of taking daily pills, is being hailed as a breakthrough in adherence. South Africa, despite having the world’s largest HIV treatment programme, still struggles with new infections and interruptions in care.
Anita Williams, a long-time AHF board member from the United States, praised the dedication of clinic staff. “From the time we went into the administrative office to all of the clinics, the dedication to the patients, to the country, and to the well-being of their neighbours stood out. The staff don’t just come to work for a pay cheque. They think outside the box to find solutions when funding changes. That trust and dedication give me hope that these programmes will continue, no matter the challenges,” Williams said.
As crime, hunger, and stigma continue to challenge HIV care in Umlazi, patients and healthcare workers remain determined to ensure treatment reaches those who need it most.
