We see roughly 20 patients a day, mostly for STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening, family planning, and HIV treatment. We thought if we only offered HIV testing, patients might not come, so this set-up really works for us. No one is forced to get tested. We provide information to everyone, and then people make a decision about whether they want to be tested or not.

However, we do have to correct misconceptions and add more information so they understand it better – some people say they trust their partner because they've been together for a long time and so they have unprotected sex, but they know that their partner hasn't been tested, so it's blind trust. We have to continue to tell them that trust is not enough.

You must imagine everyone to be positive until they test negative, otherwise you are at risk.

I am hopeful about the future, I think that things are getting better. Now there are children that are born HIV-free, even though they have HIV-positive parents – that brings hope.

With the treatment we are giving, as long as the viral load is surpressed, the next generation can be HIV free.

Read the source article on HIV in South Africa by Slindile Nkambule at Doctors Without Borders