The partnership, which is nearly six months old, means increased testing for HIV, and more resources to assist with treatment.
The City of Cape Town’s Health Department has partnered with ANOVA Health Institute since June 2019 to strengthen strategies in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
World AIDS Day affords us the opportunity to reflect on how we are doing.
ANOVA Health Institute is funded by PEPFAR through USAID (United States Agency for International Development). Over the past 16 Years PEPFAR has been funding a number of NGOs to assist in changing the trajectory of the HIV epidemic.
In 2018, it was estimated that there were 37.9 million people living with HIV globally; of all countries, South Africa has the highest number, i.e. 7.7 million people living with HIV.
South Africa aims to have at least 7 million people on Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) by September 2020, up from the current figure of just under 5 million.
The National Department of Health has launched Operation Phuthuma to achieve this.
In support of Operation Phuthuma, with an approach called APACE (Accelerating Programme Achievements to Control the Epidemic), ANOVA is supporting existing public health programmes, increasing mobile testing within communities as well as placing additional testers in primary health care facilities and professional nurses to help commence ART for all HIV positive patients. Alternative, quicker methods of collection of chronic medicine (including ART) are being explored and patients who have not maintained on-treatment status are being encouraged to return to care, to restart ART.
ANOVA is supporting 26 ‘Siyenza’ Sites in Cape Town (high burden primary health care facilities), with staff that have been placed at these facilities. In addition, they are providing health system strengthening activities in 118 health facilities in the metropole.
‘The partnership with the Anova Health Institute shows once again the importance of collaboration in dealing with societal challenges. We are extremely grateful for the added resources that have been made available through this partnership, because ultimately it allows us to reach even more people, whether for HIV testing or treatment. More importantly, it fast-tracks our ultimate goal to have healthier communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
There are many success stories, such as the advice, support and encouragement that one patient received, that encouraged her to return to care. Another patient who had stopped taking her treatment, was traced though an ANOVA data clerk project to identify missing patients. Today, the patient is back on treatment and attending the clinic regularly.
‘Early indications are that the partnership has made a difference, but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Ultimately, it is up to each and every person to take responsibility for their health and that of their loved ones. I therefore urge residents who have not tested for HIV in the last year to make use of the numerous opportunities to do so, which exist year-round, and will be augmented around World AIDS day. Patients who need to start or re-start anti-retroviral treatment can make an appointment at any clinic that’s convenient for them, whether close to their place of work or home,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
City Health’s World AIDS Day outreach programmes will run between 2 and 5 December 2019. Details are available here: http://bit.do/aids-day
A list of all City clinics is available here: http://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities