Africa: Why Climate Change Belongs in HIV Reporting and How to Cover the Connection
[Daily Maverick] Climate change doesn't change the virus or make it more infectious or deadly. It changes the infrastructure and systems - such as roads, clinics and patient records - that hold HIV in check. Here's how the two connect, and how to report it.
Climate change doesn't alter the nature of the HIV virus or its severity. However, it does impact the infrastructure and systems that help control the spread of the virus. On April 12, 2022, Mfundo Shezi experienced this firsthand when a torrential downpour hit KwaZulu-Natal. The 32-year-old, who typically slept in a Durban park, had to seek refuge, leaving behind all his possessions.
Among them were his ID and his monthly antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for HIV, which he had been taking consistently since 2021. Upon returning the next day, Shezi discovered that the flood had destroyed everything, including his ARV supply. This prompted him to miss a dose for the first time, leading him to panic and seek help at the local clinic.
Unfortunately, without his ID book or a transfer letter from his regular clinic, he was unable to receive his medication. This scenario illustrates how climate-related disasters can disrupt HIV treatment, as the damage to infrastructure like roads and clinics makes it difficult for patients to access care.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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