Photo:
Name:
Hermann Themba Reuter
Current Position:
Coordinator MSF (Doctors without Borders) HIV Program in Lusikisiki – rural health district – South Africa; 2003 to present.
Managing comprehensive HIV program including awareness, prevention and treatment including 750 people on antiretrovirals at primary health care level, responsible to supervise 40 NGO staff, close collaboration with 40 department of health nurses and health care managers, training all categories of health care workers, doing clinic consultations three days a week. This is rewarding as it is a step towards overcoming drug company overpricing of essential medicines.
Provincial Executive Member of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC)
Giving political leadership to South Africa's most vibrant HIV patients' rights groups, planning community mobilisation. The challenges her are to help overcome denialism amongst government leaders.
Past Positions:
Medical doctor MSF (Doctors without Borders) HIV program in Khayelitsha – urban poor township - South Africa; 2000 – 2002 This provided me with most of my medical experience through self study working in rural hospitals and clinics with no supervision. Antiretrovirals are most rewarding treatment to be able to prescribe if one has strong community involvement in the clinic. Its inspiring to be part of an international organisation that is spearheading the use of these medicines across Africa.
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, Medical Degree, 1986 – 1991
Rhodes University, South Africa, Teachers Diploma, 1997
Volunteer of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). Most of my political and leadership skills were acquired through Treatment Action Campaign and other political organisations and trade unions.Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has changed the perception of health care in South Africa from where patients were silent receivers of medicines to where service users are active participants in structuring of health care services. I'm proud to be associated with this movement.
Education:
University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, Medical Degree, 1986 – 1991
Rhodes University, South Africa, Teachers Diploma, 1997. The theory in adult education acquired during this diploma, was very useful and it gave me skills in practice of HIV workshops.
What strengths, skills and experience are useful in your role ?:
Coordinator of HIV project in rural district: good medical sense, understanding of health care system, close links with community organisation, being close to people.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to your current position?:
HIV care is rewarding. Doctors are needed in rural areas and in primary health care management.
What are your ambitions for the future?:
Write some books, start an environmental project with HIV support groups, train more health care workers in HIV care.
Not related to ambitions, but something inspiring for you all....
MSF in most countries have experienced that it is easier giving antiretrovirals to children as tablets easier than as syrup. I do the same. But first I let the children swallow an empty efavirenz capsule to ensure they can do it. When Thandi, a six year old was challenged to do this she broke out in tears and couldn't swallow. I calmed down the grandmother and gave them some multivitamin tablets and asked the grandmother to practice with Thandi to overcome the fear of swallowing tablets.
When they came to the clinic the next week, Thandi was proud to demonstrate that now she could swallow the efavirenz capsule, and immediately asked, "Doctor now I also need the 3TC and D4T". I was surprised, this little girl new the names of her triple therapy combination and understood everything exactly. This was in stark contrast to many incidents were adults had been taking their hypertension medication for years and still did not know the names of their medication. The counsellor just said looking at me, "You said we must prepare the children for ARVs just like the adults."
