TB HIV Care is in the process of designing and implementing an Informal Settlements Project in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape). Essentially the project will bring a comprehensive prevention package of services (HIV, TB and STIs) to informal settlements which need it the most.

On Thursday the 17th of May, the National Department of Health and the Global Fund organised a meeting in Buffalo City Metro (BCM) to introduce TB HIV Care to the BCM District Department of Health.

The meeting was attended by NDoH representatives Yolisa Tsibolane (NDoH Director) and Matshidiso Sopoli (Informal Settlements Programme Manager); the district team headed by District Manager Mr Lusasa; as well as TB HIV Care’s Katherine Brittin (Programme Manager), Nobesuthu Feliti (our newly appointed Project Manager), Amanda Fononda (Regional Coordinator) and Zimkhitha Pathi (Regional Data Manager).

The purpose of the meeting, in addition to making introductions, was to build relationships, identify areas of operation and initiate plans for the implementation of the project. TB HIV Care’s existing reputation in the area paved the way for a very successful meeting and the feedback was that the programme is much-needed and very welcome.

The three informal settlements identified to implement the comprehensive prevention package (CPP) are  Duncan Village, Resteen and Polar Park (Dimbaza).

With goodwill secured, we are now looking forward to getting started!