AEGiS-IRIN: 1,800 Teachers Died of HIV/Aids Last Year

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

1,800 Teachers Died of HIV/Aids Last Year

UN Integrated Regional Information Networks - October 8, 2001

At least 1,800 of South Africa's 350,000 teachers died of AIDS-related diseases last year, Johannesburg's Afrikaans daily, the 'Beeld', reported on Monday. Dr Kineau Swart, the health department's national co-ordinator for life skills and HIV/AIDS school programmes, told delegates at a National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) conference that the figure would increase to about 12,600 in 2010 if teachers did not change their behaviour.

Swart was quoted as saying that according to statistics, between 14 and 16 percent of teachers and between seven and eight percent of school principals were infected with the virus.

The disease was likely to impact hugely on pupils and the current number of 139,000 orphans was likely to increase to 2.5 million by 2012, Swart added. She said it was estimated that one in every five pupils between five and nine years, and one in four pupils between 10 and 14 years, would be left orphaned.

Demands would increasingly be made on teachers who had pupils affected by HIV/AIDS in their classes, the report said. Apart from assistance in handling the psychological trauma and stigma, teachers would be required to care for the physical well-being of pupils by ensuring they received the correct nutrition and water while taking their medication. Swart suggested that the possibility of decreasing the training period for teachers at tertiary institutions be considered because it was expensive to train teachers who died shortly after completing their course, the report said.
011008
IR011014

Copyright © 2001 - Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Integrated Regional Information Network. .

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980 – 2001. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .