Health department takes services to the community

Efforts to accelerate South Africa’s 95-95-95 HIV/Aids target, a multi-organisational partnership has been formed to launch the ‘Closing 1.1 Million HIV Treatment Gap’ campaign.

Included in the partnership are the South African government, World Health Organisation (WHO), UNAIDS and other stakeholders.

To heed the effort, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane will lead a high-impact Isibhedlela Kubantu outreach programme scheduled for this Friday, 11 and Saturday, 12 July in the Zululand and King Cetshwayo districts.

The events will be held at Cliffdale sports field and Siyabonga Sangweni sports complex in Dondotha respectively.

The campaign seeks to identify and support the 1.1 million people living with HIV/Aids who know their status but are not yet on treatment, addressing a critical gap in the country’s HIV response.

Isibhedlela Kubantu is a flagship community outreach programme designed to tackle deep-rooted socio-economic and healthcare access challenges such as poverty, distance to health facilities, and the high cost of transport.

According to Simelane, by bringing services directly into communities, the programme helps alleviate pressure on healthcare facilities while ensuring faster and more equitable access to care.

The outreach will feature a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and allied health workers operating from mobile clinics and trucks equipped with essential medical tools.

“They will provide comprehensive primary healthcare services in open, accessible venues such as sports fields and community stadiums,” said Simelane.

On the King Cetshwayo leg, Simelane will collaborate with the Siyabonga Sangweni Foundation to strengthen the ‘Close the Gap’ HIV Awareness Campaign.

The goal is to raise awareness, provide on-the-spot health screenings, and get more people onto life-saving treatment.

“This dynamic outreach programme takes healthcare to the people, especially those in far-flung areas, offering a full range of clinic-level services in places where they are needed most,” said Simelane.

HAVE YOUR SAY