Key Populations

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.

IAS 2019: Mexico City

IAS 2019: Mexico City

TB HIV Care was well represented at the 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science, which took place from 21 July to 24 July 2019 in Mexico City, Mexico.

The IAS Conference on HIV Science is the world’s most influential meeting on HIV research and features diverse topics, speakers and cutting-edge studies.

TB HIV Care’s Prof. Harry Hausler presented on isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) among key populations at a TB and HIV satellite session, while Dr Andrew Scheibe participated in an HIV and viral hepatitis pre-conference session – as well as sharing findings of South Africa’s harm reduction coverage and gaps in an oral presentation (see article below).

TB HIV Care also had several meetings and engagements with partners, including UNITE, GNP+ and others.

TB HIV Care’s harm reduction work received media coverage, and you can read the article here:
Low harm reduction coverage for people who inject drugs in South Africa

TB HIV Care’s Sex Worker Programme given green light to supply ART and PrEP in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District

TB HIV Care’s Sex Worker Programme given green light to supply ART and PrEP in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District

On Monday, 26 November, TB HIV Care’s Doctor Kenneth Kaunda (DKK) Key Populations – Sex Worker Programme site was assessed for its capacity to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Key assessment objectives included:

  • To assess the facility in the quality management of HIV and TB
  • To assess implementation of the NSP HIV, STI and TB guidelines
  • Assess the data management system, including proper data collection, recording, analysis and reporting
  • To assess the drug supply and management system: planning, forecasting and reporting
  • Support the facility in identifying programme strengths, weaknesses and opportunities – and making appropriate recommendations for improvement of ART/ PrEP service delivery

The site was visited by Hasina Subedar, Eva Marumo (NDoH), Keitheng Matlapeng (North West Provincial DoH), Paul Motlhaoleng and Anna Malaudi (Matlosana District DoH). They were received by Mfezi Mcingana (TB HIV Care’s Key Populations Programme Manager) and the DKK team. A successful assessment was conducted and accreditation was granted for both ART and PrEP implementation for the site.

The TB HIV Care DKK team would like to thank the DKK District and the NW Provincial Department of Health for their continued support of the programme.