Earlier in 2020, TB HIV Care participated in a film exploring the experiences of people who use drugs, particularly in relation to viral hepatitis. For World Hepatitis Day 2020, 28^th July, a virtual event will be held to launch the film, ‘Connecting with Care’ by film maker Conor Ashleigh, and to highlight the impact COVID-19 has had on efforts to provide health services to people who use drugs.

The film was previewed at the historic INHSU Africa in February 2020 and has received first prize in the Political and Civil Support Category of the Global Coalition for Hepatitis Elimination video competition for 2020.

The event will provide an opportunity to hear firsthand from participants in the film, some of whom are experts in treating viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C) – diseases which cause more deaths globally than HIV. In South Africa, people who use drugs are particularly hard hit by hepatitis, with one study finding that 45% of people who inject drugs were living with hepatitis C – a curable disease, which can be life-threatening if not treated.

Join the event by registering here

Date: Tuesday 28 July 2020

Time: 11am

In the spirit of Ubuntu, remembering South Africa’s late father of freedom and the call to “take action and inspire change”, TB HIV Care launched the ‘Care Fund’ on Mandela Day, 18 July 2020. This fund seeks to encourage individual giving on an ongoing basis to provide support to TB HIV Care’s community health worker programme – one of the most under-resourced elements of our health system.

The community health worker programme provides critical services to South Africa’s people. When COVID-19 arrived in our country, it was community health workers who were called to the frontlines to implement mass screening in our communities. TB HIV Care’s CHWs in the Cape Metro alone, have screened more than 38 000 people for COVID-19 in just a few months. In addition to this, studies have shown the impact CHWs can have in improving child and maternal health, access to reproductive and sexual health services and adherence to TB and HIV treatment.
Yet community health workers are exposed to a number of dangers while delivering services on foot, walking from household-to-household in all weathers. Year on year, TB HIV Care’s rallies to try and close basic gaps in the programme. These gaps include PPE, panic buttons, psychosocial support and more.

“This year we have decided to be proactive and find ways to build resources and our staff within this programme to deliver the best possible service. Through launching this fund, we are hoping to provide more support for this programme in areas where it is really needed,” said Simone Van Willingh, Public-private Partnership Coordinator.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been community health workers in particular who have carried their communities, showing tremendous bravery by going door-to-door to each and every household. This Mandela Day we want to honour them.”

“I learned that courage was not absence of fear, but triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”- Nelson Mandela

Those who wish to donate can do so via TB HIV Care’s website (www.tbhivcare.org), click on donate.

We stand together, to take action and inspire change!