Over 90,000 receive HIV treatment as City Health strengthens access
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 World AIDS Day is being recognised, there are currently more than 90,000 people receiving ART at City Health facilities - nearly 50,000 through the ART Club system.
The improved rates of Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis come amid a challenging year, particularly due to the impact of the USAID Stop Work Order, which resulted in reduced partner support and fewer counsellors, nurses, and clerks in City Health facilities.
The City said that much of its work over the past year, guided by its strategic priorities, has been closely aligned with the National Close the Gap Campaign, which officially concludes on World AIDS Day.
The campaign aimed to strengthen HIV and TB services through quality improvement projects while re-engaging more than 70,000 people living with HIV in the Cape Town Metro who are currently not in ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) care.
To support this effort, City Health said it identified 18 high-burden facilities where teams focused on improving access, strengthening systems, and providing enhanced support to clients living with HIV. HIV testing counsellors have long played a vital role in HIV testing, patient education, and support.
Mayoral Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham explained: “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."
According to the City, currently, more than 90,000 people receive ART at City Health facilities - nearly 50,000 through the ART Club system. By June 2023, 58% of ART patients at City facilities will be accessing services at a site offering 6MMD.
In addition, the City said it continues to offer and scale up the distribution of HIV self-screening kits, focusing primarily on pregnant women and their partners to broaden access and reduce barriers to testing. It added that it continues to provide oral Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and looking ahead, the introduction of the six-monthly injectable PrEP, Lenacapavir at selected facilities next year will offer an additional, long-acting prevention option to help curb new infections. At the end of June 2023, City clinics had 37,357 clients remaining on PrEP; that figure increased 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," said Councillor Francine Higham.
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