MSF celebrating 10 years of HIV care in Khayelitsha

In June 2011, MSF commemorated 10 years of antiretroviral (ARV) response in Khayelitsha, South Africa, together with the residents of the community, local schools, civil society representatives such as the Treatment Action Campaign, partners such as the Zip Zap Circus School, and health authorities, staff, and supporters from the City of Cape Town, and the Province of the Western Cape. Khayelitsha is one of the largest and poorest townships with the highest HIV prevalence in South Africa, hit with a dual-epidemic- tuberculosis. However the 10 year anniversary was something to celebrate because the ARV treatment programme has become a success on many levels. The programme demonstrates the impact of introducing comprehensive HIV care in high-prevalence and low-resource areas, the real benefit of decentralising healthcare to bring integrated HIV and TB treatment to places where people live, the positive impact of concerted civil society mobilisation on stigma, HIV awareness and patient support, and the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in overcoming incredible challenges. Nevertheless, new challenges remain in sustainably sourcing new lines of ARVs, initiating patients on treatment sooner to avoid medical complications and to prevent new infections, as well as addressing the continuing needs specific to paediatric patients, youth, and men.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• MSF
• HIV
• antiretroviral treatment
• medecins sans frontieres
• Khayelitsha