Question

There are many problems combating HIV & AIDS in Africa. Reflect on how HIV has changed the life of one person featured in the film "The Lazarus Effect" whose life you think improved the most.

Answer 1

Over three million people across the continent of Africa receive free antiretroviral drugs as a treatment for the HIV infection. These antiretroviral drugs have given hope to millions of people with HIV and have “resurrected” people from the brink of death within about 40 days of taking the drug. But there are still 3,000 people dying everyday from HIV/AIDS, and over 20 million people have died from HIV. A film screened at the Student Resource Building on Feb. 3, “The Lazarus Effect,” sheds new light on what it means to be infected with the HIV illness.

The lazzarus effect focus on the history behind treatment of HIV in Africa...

Antiretroviral drugs were not always free; because of the poverty in Africa, a lot of people had to choose between buying food or buying the drugs.........

  

The documentary features four stories of people who are infected with HIV. First profiled is Mudneda, who helps run three clinics in Africa. The viewer learns that all three of her children fell victim to HIV, and her husband subsequently told her that he would not get tested unless she got tested as well. It was not until the new clinic was opened that she found out that her husband and herself were both positive with HIV.

Bwalya Liteta, another subject of the documentary, was a 24-pound 11-year-old that fell victim to HIV. Because she had to miss school due to her illness, all she talked about during her interviews was school and how she missed her friends. You could feel a tangible sadness take over the entire audience as they watched her drink from a metal cup that was perched upon a clay windowpane to take her antiretroviral pill. Eventually, the entire mood of her interviews changed when she got better and was able to go back to school. She smiled a lot as she talked about her friends, along with finishing school at the top of her class..............

There has been such a progress in treatment that during the third trimester of pregnancy, HIV positive pregnant women can come to the clinic to receive treatment to diminish the chances of their unborn child being born with HIV. Although there is newfound hope for many Africans, there is still despair for those who live in rural areas of Africa, who have to travel four days to get to the nearest clinic. In some cases, four days is a little too late. As a result, there is still work that needs to be done to help those with HIV........

Thank you