By Thato Mahlangu, 5 December 2017, rekordmoot.co.za.
Through the model private GPs will provide HIV clinical services with state-funded pharmacy and laboratory services to uninsured people living with HIV.
The first care cell in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, was recently launched by Gauteng health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa.
The GP care cell model organises a number of GPs and community pharmacies into a network.
Through the model private GPs will provide HIV clinical services with state-funded pharmacy and laboratory services to uninsured people living with HIV.
Ramokgopa said the GP care cell was expected to go a long way in ensuring that the government used all available health professionals and all infrastructure to achieve its 90-90-90 targets in the fight against HIV, TB and STIs.
The 90-90-90 is a concept introduced by the United Nations on HIV/Aids in 2013, that by 2020, 90% of people who are HIV-infected would be diagnosed; 90% of people who are diagnosed would be on antiretroviral treatment and 90% of those who receive antiretrovirals are virally suppressed.
“The model is also a research and a pilot through which we will look at how best we can make sure that all South Africans have access to good quality care,” Ramokgopa said during the launch last week.
She said the GP care model would also look at drug rehabilitation, medical male circumcision, TB treatment and HIV/ Aids access to care.
“It is a project that can help us to reach more people as we look for the missing population in terms of prevention and treatment. This partnership can be used to build the model of national health insurance that all South Africans want,” said Ramokgopa.
Dr Lindi Shange a GP and owner of the pilot practice, echoed MEC Ramokgopa’s sentiments, saying that the project was an opportunity for public-private partnership which would enhance the quality of care and access to healthcare centres for HIV and TB patients.
“Through this project, we will be able to help our Tshwane district to attain the 90-90-90 targets. I am also hoping that this partnership is going to open a new door for us to identify people who have HIV, initiate and treat them, as well as linking them to other services of healthcare if need be,” said Shange.
The health department partnered with the Foundation for Professional Development, the United States Agency for International Development and Professional Provider Organisation Services to build the Gauteng GP care cell.
