Milestone achievement: 90,000 people on HIV treatment in Cape Town
There are currently more than 90 000 people receiving ART at City Health facilities - nearly 50 000 through the ART Club system.
Image: Supplied
As the world observes World AIDS Day, a significant milestone has been reached in South Africa: more than 90,000 people are currently receiving Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) at City of Cape Town Health facilities. Nearly 50,000 of these individuals benefit from the innovative ART Club system, which facilitates better access and management of treatment, according to the Cape Argus.
This achievement comes in a year marked by considerable challenges, notably the impact of the USAID Stop Work Order that led to decreased partner support and a shortage of essential healthcare personnel including counsellors, nurses, and clerks in City Health facilities.
The City of Cape Town has aligned much of its focus over the past year with the National Close the Gap Campaign, which officially culminates on World AIDS Day. The Cape Argus reports this campaign has aimed to improve HIV and tuberculosis services through quality enhancement initiatives while striving to engage over 70,000 individuals living with HIV in the Cape Town Metro who have yet to access ART.
To bolster these efforts, the City has identified 18 high-burden facilities where dedicated teams work to strengthen access to services, reinforce systems, and provide enhanced support for individuals living with HIV. HIV testing counsellors remain essential in the realms of patient education, support, and testing.
Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Member for Community Services and Health, commented on the ART Club system: “This model allows stable patients to collect a six-month supply of medication in a single visit, reducing the need for frequent clinic attendance. This not only makes treatment more convenient for patients, but also helps decongest facilities and supports long-term adherence.”
The statistics quoted in the Cape Argus report underscore the ongoing progress—by June 2023, 58% of patients receiving ART at City facilities were accessing services that offer a six-month multi-month dispensing (6MMD) solution.
Moreover, the City continues to expand the distribution of HIV self-screening kits, primarily targeting pregnant women and their partners to eliminate barriers to testing. The provision of oral Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) also remains a priority, with plans to introduce a six-month injectable option, Lenacapavir, at selected facilities next year. This new, long-lasting prevention method is aimed at curbing new infections. The number of clients remaining on PrEP has seen staggering growth; from 37,357 at the end of June 2023 to 51,277 by June 2024.
“As we commemorate World AIDS Day, the City reaffirms its commitment to supporting resilient health services, empowering communities, and ensuring that every person living with HIV can access the treatment, care, and dignity they deserve,” stated Councillor Higham.
IOL