Human Rights

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.

Declaration of the Rights of People Affected by TB

Declaration of the Rights of People Affected by TB

On Monday, 13 May 2019, the Stop TB Partnership, together with TB People (a global network of people affected by TB), as well as NGOs and community delegations launched the Declaration of the Rights of People Affected by TB in Geneva, Switzerland.

The launch of this Declaration marks a major milestone in recognising the urgent need to adopt a human rights-based approach to TB, to fund human rights-based interventions that overcome barriers to universal access to TB diagnosis, prevention, treatment, care and support services – and to put people affected by TB at the centre of the TB response.

The Declaration itself aims to empower people affected by TB so they may know and claim their human rights.

The following are principles for a human rights-based approach to TB:

  • People (and affected communities) are placed at the centre, as equal partners, driving health policy, providing the individual and groups with the tools to participate and claim specific rights
  • The most marginalised, at risk and vulnerable people/groups are identified, informed and empowered to access TB prevention, treatment and care
  • Dignity is assured for patients and those affected
  • Socio-economic determinants of TB are addressed
  • Human rights implications of TB policy, legislation and programming are addressed
  • Institutional constraints and capacity gaps that prevent individuals and groups from fulfilling their rights related to TB are overcome
  • There is an integrated and multisectoral response to TB, making human rights an integral dimension in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of TB-related policies and programmes
  • Accountability tools are provided for governments, the international community and civil society to monitor the progress of all stakeholders in realising the right to health
  • A platform is provided for documenting and sharing best practices, supporting advocacy and social mobilisation around human rights relevant to TB.

(Source: www.stoptb.org)  

You can read the full Declaration here.