HEATHER BULLOCK, who works in the St Francis Care Centre, Boksburg, South Africa, gives us an update on the wonderful work going on there.

Life-saving treatment is available — free and accessible to the poor! At least it is here on the East Rand in Boksburg, South Africa. Fr Stan Brennan, OFM, is thrilled that today St Francis Care Centre is saving thousands of lives. His urgent plea to everyone is: “Test now — test early!” Clients of St Francis’ clinics are able to receive lifesaving treatment if they come in good time. Sadly many don’t. Many homebased care workers are working hard to persuade more people to visit our clinics and be tested. If needed, a period of nursing and stabilisation can be provided in the residential facility prior to the start of anti-retroviral treatment. Last year nearly 200 patients were nursed back to health and strength, though tragically another 300-400 came too late.

The centre marked the World Day of the Sick this year by celebrating a special Mass followed by the Anointing and blessing of the hospice patients and children. Next year it is planned to include any outpatients who wish to attend as well — which could increase the numbers considerably as there are over 1,400 outpatients receiving free ARVs (anti-retrovirals)! And many others are receiving counselling and other support therapy.

St Francis Care Centre was founded over 19 years ago and consequently is now a very well-recognised, stable organisation treating all aspects of Hiv/Aids. Their best advice to anyone in South Africa today has to be: “Know your status!” Once people do that they can get on with their lives and rejoice if they are one of the many thousands who are negative. If not, then they must learn about future options and how to look after themselves and others. Privacy is respected by the friendly staff at the Centre’s quiet, discreet clinics. This has ensured that, since St Francis Care Centre opened its two free anti-retroviral clinics several years ago, many thousands of people have been counselled and tested. Currently 1,400 clients collect ARVs on a monthly basis while thousands of others who are Hiv-Positive, but still well, receive supportive therapy and advice to allow them to remain healthy as long as possible.

Fr John O’Connell, recently retired from the Bray parish, came to visit the Centre with Fr Stan’s brother, Andy Brennan. Unfortunately he didn’t have time to visit all four of the teams working in the informal settlements and squatter camps but he saw enough to report back on our work to the people of Ireland, who have offered so much wonderful support over the years, that they have not been wasting their money! He especially loved the children in Rainbow Cottage — several of whom happily entertained him with a song and dance (anything to interrupt lessons!), and you can be sure they all had plenty of sweets during his visit!