World AIDS Day: City clinics ramp up treatment and prevention measures
30 November 2025
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. Read more below:
Much of the City's 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 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.
To ensure continuity of care after the loss of NPO support staff, a series of HIV testing and counselling workshops were convened for clinicians, equipping them to take on these responsibilities.
The counselling workshops highlighted the need for high-quality, patient-centred counselling that supports clients in problem-solving and supports them to identify solutions to potential barriers to care.
This counselling approach has gone hand in hand with efforts to welcome back and fast-track clients returning to care, with messaging that normalises treatment interruptions and encourages people to reconnect with services without stigma.
A key counselling message emphasised was U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) - the evidence-based reassurance that people living with HIV who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to their sexual partners.
In November this year, the City hosted a webinar featuring a representative from the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) to strengthen staff's understanding of the science behind this important public health message.
Another major focus area has been expanding access to Six-Month Multi-Month Dispensing (6MMD) through ART Clubs at selected facilities, with further roll-out planned.
'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,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
Currently, more than 90 000 people receive ART at City Health facilities - nearly 50 000 through the ART Club system.
By June 2026, 58% of ART patients at City facilities will be accessing services at a site offering 6MMD.
In addition, the City continues to offer and scale up the distribution of HIV self-screening kits, focussing primarily on pregnant women and their partners to broaden access and reduce barriers to testing.
HIV PREVENTION
Preventing new HIV infections remains a priority.
The City 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 2024, City clinics had 37 357 clients remaining on PrEP; that figure increased to 51 277 by June 2025.
'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. The City also extends sincere thanks to all staff working across its HIV programme, including their work and dedication to the National Close the Gap Campaign,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
