Is Luderitz Doing Enough?

The Buchter Girls go on an investigative project to find out how easy it is to get tested for HIV/AIDS in Luderitz.

In relation to World AIDS Day on 1st December we decided to find out what really happens during the process of testing for HIV/AIDS. We went to Luderitz hospital to investigate. We found that the biggest flaw in the testing process was the difficulty in finding the correct room due to unclear directions and overcrowding. After queuing for an unnecessary amount of time and realising that we didn’t have to, we made our way through the crowd and into the STI CONSULTATION ROOM. Once we found it however, it became much more organised and structured. It isn’t the nicest room to be in though, with most of the walls covered in posters with information about STI’s, how not to get them and what to do if you have got one. On the other hand, it’s both unfortunate and ironic that these posters aren’t around Luderitz andare only in the actual clinic itself. Also on the walls were disturbing photographs of the different STI’s that can be tested for. So overall, comfort levels in the room are low but using them as shock tactics really works!

I (Jess Christiansen) decided to take a test to really see what Buchters have to do if they have one. Firstly I was asked quite personal questions and then they took us to another room for the test, thankfully it was clean and the needles were all sterile and disposable. I was amazed at how easy and quick the procedure was with just a literal prick of the finger for a few drops of blood and then came the waiting game. Despite there being no real danger, Emily and I found ourselves feeling nervous. It was an odd sensation for the both of us but I really put myself in the shoes of someone who in minutes time could have found out that they have a deadly virus. The fifteen minutes that we were told to wait for, felt like hours as we restlessly flicked through the leaflets about STI’s. After the wait we got called back into room and not to our surprise, the result was negative.

Looking around Luderitz, it’s obvious that HIV testing isn’t hardly publicised at all. Yes, people are aware of the one in four statistic of HIV/AIDS but who encourages going for tests? Looking at this old, shabby sign it doesn’t strike me as appealing it almost puts me off. Personally I feel that globally, everyone still has the mutual thought of ‘it won’t happen to me’ and it’s something that needs to be changed.