Human Rights

Sensitisation Training to Empower our Correctional Services Programme Staff

Sensitisation Training to Empower our Correctional Services Programme Staff

TB HIV Care’s Correctional Services Programme held a sensitisation training for the team on Friday, 02 February.  Sensitisation is key to our service delivery and this recap training aimed to ensure staff competence in addressing inmate queries using appropriate language according to the latest CDC sensitisation curriculum.

The virtual training covered sensitive topics, including sexuality, gender, sexual behaviours, violence, abuse, and human rights. Recognising the need to empower staff, we focused on:

  • Identifying and combatting stereotypes, stigma, and discrimination related to MSM.
  • Facilitating open and confident communication about sex and sexuality with inmates to encourage PrEP uptake as a preventive measure.
  • Providing essential information on HIV transmission risk and risk reduction strategies within the DCS context. Staff were equipped with HIV prevention strategies, including PrEP & PEP.

The session encouraged interaction, with team members actively engaging and sharing their wealth of experience. This interaction promoted team cohesion among CSP staff members assigned to various correctional centres across five provinces.

We eagerly anticipate the upcoming second session, where we will address substance use and discrimination.

Collaboration and Conversations: The Eastern Cape’s African Traditional Medicines (ATM) Day

Collaboration and Conversations: The Eastern Cape’s African Traditional Medicines (ATM) Day

On Wednesday, 6 September the Eastern Cape Department of Health hosted the African Traditional Medicines (ATM) Day in the Amathole district – an annual event that rotates from province to province.

This year’s theme was “The Contribution of Traditional Medicines to Holistic Health and Well-Being for All.”

For the past two decades, 31 August has been designated as African Traditional Medicine Day to honour the crucial role of traditional medicine in the health and well-being of generations of people on the continent, as recognised by the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Various activities were organised in the lead-up to event. “Thuma Mina” campaigns were conducted on July 26th and 27th, whereby health services were taken directly to communities residing in remote areas. On 16 August, a dialogue event was held to facilitate conversations between traditional health practitioners, clinicians and communities about when to seek the help of a clinician.

This year’s event was attended by distinguished guests, including the Premier of the Eastern Cape, the MEC of Health, BRICS partners, the Mayor of Mbashe, the Provincial RPHC Director, and traditional health practitioners from across the province. Stakeholder Manager Mr Sandlana, Community Coordinator Asanda Jele, and the HTS testing team led by Sr Nqaba Bomvu represented TB HIV Care.

Skinner Clinic: KP Friendly Public Health Services Arrive in Tshwane!

Skinner Clinic: KP Friendly Public Health Services Arrive in Tshwane!

TB HIV Care’s PWID Programme celebrated the launch of the Centre of Excellence, a key population-friendly health services centre at Skinner Clinic, Tshwane District Hospital, on Tuesday, 30 May 2023.

The new centre will ensure vulnerable populations, including PWID/PWUD, MSM and female sex workers have easy access to friendly, inclusive and non-judgemental healthcare services. These key populations face heightened risk of HIV transmission and STIs compared to the general population, largely due to various structural, socio-cultural and behavioural factors.

The launch allowed for candid dialogue between Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, valued partners and service users (representing various key populations), which not only shed light on the challenges faced by key populations – but also explored potential solutions.

TB HIV Care’s Site Manager, Phumzile Mngomezulu, delivered a comprehensive speech highlighting the PWID Programme’s intricacies and the tailor-made harm reduction strategies employed to prevent and manage HIV among people who inject drugs. The programme’s profound impact in Tshwane and the collaborative relationship with the district were also emphasised. In attendance were members of the TB HIV Care team, including peer educators, a peer coordinator and three service users. Importantly, the service users were given a platform to address the MEC directly, sharing their challenges in accessing services at public health facilities.

The MEC attentively responded to the challenges raised by each key population and reiterated the support that Skinner Clinic, as the Centre of Excellence, will provide. The event marked the successful commencement of key population-friendly services at Skinner Clinic, thanks to our partners’ continuous support and commitment. Through training, mentoring, sensitisation efforts, and the implementation of effective service referral systems, the clinic is fully dedicated to meeting the unique needs of vulnerable groups.

Launching the Key Populations Friendly Service Centre at Skinner Clinic was a significant milestone, promising a brighter future for key populations who can now access the care and support they deserve.