Shines the Spotlight on TB and HIV

There is a lack of disability data collection in HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) surveillance and biomedical research in South Africa. HIV-prevalence data, apart from self-reporting, is non-existent. This lack of data makes it difficult to accurately assess the needs of people with disabilities and to ensure that services are tailored to their specific needs. Without this data, it is almost impossible to develop targeted interventions to improve the health and well-being of people with disabilities.

Despite research indicating that men with disabilities and women with disabilities are 1.5 and 2.2 times more likely to be infected with HIV, respectively. These figures are even higher for people with disabilities from minority populations. This disparity is often attributed to a lack of adequate access to healthcare, as well as stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities.

The following factors contribute to HIV and TB issues:

Absence of research: Continued failure to consider People With Disabilities (PWD) in the design of programmes, services, and budgets. Additionally, increases their lack in access to services, information, and support.

Lack of Access: People with disabilities are excluded and neglected in all sectors responding to SRHR. This exclusion is due to a lack of awareness and understanding of their needs and rights. As a result, they often have limited access to health services and information. This has led to an increase in health disparities and inequality.

Physical Services: often are not physically accessible and lack support for alternative modes of communication.

Attitudinal barriers: Myths that PWD is asexual or incapable of sexuality and reproduction and therefore do not need services.

Education: Compared to children without disabilities, children with disabilities are twice as likely to not attend school. Children with disabilities attending school lack access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) = Educators hold negative beliefs about their need for CSE or lack the skills and tools to accommodate learners with disabilities.

Our recommendations and conclusion were:

Formulate and implement policies and programs using sex, age, and disabilitydisaggregated data. Harmonise and fund disability data collection across the health and other sectors to enable targeted service delivery and reporting. Involve PWDs, their organisations, advocates, and researchers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of SHRHpolicies and guidelines. Develop disabilityspecific implementation plans, monitor and evaluate (i.e. disability indicators), and allocate resources appropriately.

Ensure that PWDs have access to justice on an equal basis with others, and develop and integrate programs that prevent violence against PWDs. Provide access to education, HIV and CSE, to young people with disabilities that is gender, age, and disability sensitive. To develop and strengthen the integration of HIV, SRHR and rehabilitation services in poorer resource settings. Lastly, to Sensitise and train appropriate staff. It was a day’s workshop and we felt that a day is not enough for sessions like these.

Navigating the dating world can be tough for anyone, but it can be especially challenging for individuals living with HIV and disabilities. Those who are also blind may face even more obstacles when searching for love.

These additional barriers can make finding a romantic partner seem like an impossible dream, but Babalwa’s story proves that with faith and perseverance, it is definitely possible to find someone who loves you for who you are.

Babalwa Tubeni Mahlangu was born and raised in the quaint village of Nxarhuni, in the Eastern Cape. She recalled the 4th of November 1987, and a joyful day to her grandmother, a day when her parents decided to end their tumultuous relationship.

Though some may see it as a tragic circumstance, her grandmother found pure joy on the day Babalwa’s parents parted ways, allowing her to raise the young girl as her own.

From attending Makunga Mvalo Public School to later pursuing her education at Ngwenyathi High School, Babalwa thrived in her studies as a first-born to her father and a third-born to her mother. Her upbringing may have been different from others, but it was filled with love, resilience, and a deep appreciation for family.

Babalwa’s journey was marked by both challenges and triumphs. Despite falling pregnant during her Grade 11 year and facing the daunting prospect of motherhood, Babalwa managed to pass her matric with flying colours. But her challenges did not stop there - she was also diagnosed with HIV and began ART treatment to manage the virus. Thankfully, hope and relief were on the horison with the announcement that the Nevara Pill would be available to prevent the transmission of HIV to unborn babies.

The Nevara Pill was a game-changer for Babalwa and countless other mothers living with HIV. She was able to have a healthy baby, free from HIV, and the pill has since brought hope to countless other families.

“After that, I studied Human Resource Management at the Academy College in

East London. It was a Monday in February, during orientation week, and I had a terrible headache. After my aunt took me to Cecilia Makiwane, I was diagnosed with TB meningitis and my eyes became blurry. Unfortunately, I lost my sight in April 2008,” Babalwa told Rise N Shine.

In the face of adversity, her life took an unexpected turn when she and her child were forced to rely on others due to her disability. However, Babalwa refused to let her circumstances define her or limit her aspirations. She bravely regained her confidence, and even opened herself up to the world of dating. She said her parents struggled to comprehend her desire for a normal life and the fact that she was just like anyone else, with feelings and dreams of her own.

It wasn’t an easy feat, but through determination and perseverance, they were able to bridge the gap and find common ground. This serves as a reminder to other people with disabilities that they have a voice, and that they should never let others make decisions on their behalf. And that it’s important to take control of your life and assert your rights with courage and conviction.

“At SANCB Optima College in 2010, I studied computer literacy and Braille, where I met my love of life, Nqobile. Nqobile is HIV-negative and we married in 2013. In addition to being partially sighted, Nqobile was born this way. We have been married for approximately ten years now. In addition to my first-born child, we have two handsome boys, so we have three HIVnegative, healthy children. We are a very happy family,” Babalwa said.

Though she faces disability, she lives a fulfilling life as a working wife and mother. She runs her household with ease, provides for her family, and even helps with her children’s homework. But that’s not all - she also serves as a motivational speaker, using her experience to inspire others to confront their own challenges. By sharing her story, she hopes to show that we can overcome obstacles and find success.

“We can work together as a nation. We can stand up to life challenges. No man is an island,” she concluded. Babalwa’s inspiring story is a testament to her resilience and the power of medical breakthroughs to change lives.