The Nelson Mandela Metropole Department of Health in conjunction with the management of the Port Elizabeth Hospital System has convened a steering committee to strategize the roll out of HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) care throughout the city of Port Elizabeth. Ubuntu has built strong ties with these stakeholders and was asked to join the committee due to our growing reputation as the premier Eastern Cape NGO providing these services.

Ubuntu is partnering with local clinics to build capacity to test for HIV and to treat a greater number of people dealing with health crises. Recognizing that they are overburdened by the expanding demand for critical health services, Ubuntu has prioritized finding the best way to build capacity and provide relevant support.

Our pilot project at KwaZakhele Day Hospital, a busy outpatient clinic located in the middle of an informal settlement, has proved a highly successful partnership model. Our team of outreach staff, counsellors and nurses has increased testing by 100% - making it the hospital with the highest testing rate in Port Elizabeth.

Other Ubuntu services also support the clinic. These include support groups held at the clinic, case managers who provide treatment readiness and treatment adherence counseling at the clinic, feeding gardens that provide food to all ART clients and clinic outreach that educates and drives clients to clinic services.