News

Ritshidze data reveal longer ARV supplies — but too many people still treated poorly and denied services at Mpumalanga clinics

People being refused services for not having a transfer letter, or being a migrant, people who use drugs, sex workers or part of the LGBTQIA+ community are among nine key issues outlined in the third edition of a new Ritshidze State of Health report in Mpumalanga. The report will be launched at two district community meetings this week — in Kabokweni on 13 June (Ehlanzeni) and Ermelo on 15 June (Gert Sibande).

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Ritshidze survey of more than nine thousand people reveals ongoing crisis in health system for key populations

Unfriendly and discriminatory services are among a number of key issues outlined in the second edition of a new Ritshidze report. The report reveals the ongoing crisis of key populations being ridiculed, abused, and even chased away from clinics — and will be presented to the National Department of Health, PEPFAR, and the Global Fund in a community meeting in Mamelodi today.

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[MULTI MEDIA] Recap of our community accountability meeting on #KZNHealth

This week Ritshidze launched the 2nd edition of the KwaZulu-Natal State of Health report, that found reduced waiting times, better staff attitudes, and longer ARV refills. However, for key populations KZN provided the least friendly and worst services. The report was presented at a community meeting in Umlazi. Scroll through our multi-media round up from the meeting and find links to the report, the summary presentation, and a full video of the entire meeting.

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Ritshidze data reveal improved services for people living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal clinics but key populations are being left far behind

Poor treatment of key populations is among eleven key issues outlined in the second edition of a new Ritshidze State of Health report. The report will be launched at a community meeting in Umlazi, Durban today. The report reveals that the province is performing worst in providing dignified and specific services to key populations — yet has improved performance in several other areas including reducing waiting times, confidentiality, and providing longer ARV refills. 

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[MULTI MEDIA] Recap of our community accountability meeting on #EasternCapeHealth

This week Ritshidze launched the 2nd edition of the Eastern Cape State of Health report, that found people face unfriendly services and struggles to access ARVs without transfer letters, among other challenges. The report was presented at a community meeting in Mdantsane. Scroll through our multi-media round up from the meeting and find links to the report, the summary presentation, and a full video of the entire meeting.

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Ritshidze data reveal key improvements in Eastern Cape clinics but poor staff attitudes remain

Poor staff attitudes are among eleven key issues outlined in the second edition of a new Ritshidze State of Health report. The report will be launched at a community meeting in Mdantsane, East London today. Positively, the report reveals several improvements in the quality of services over the last year, however several challenges remain, and progress towards getting 95% of people on treatment remains way off track in the province.

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“We cannot have it that appointments are disappointments for people who need health services in Free State”

Gains made in the HIV response in South Africa cannot be undermined by a continued breakdown in access to treatment for public healthcare users. It’s a collapse that has damaging consequences of fuelling outdated but dogged AIDS denialism. Speaking at the launch of the second Free State State of Health Report in Bloemfontein, TAC General Secretary Anele Yawa said AIDS denialism continues to push back the gains made in the past nearly 18 years of lifesaving ARVs being made available in public health facilities.

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[MULTI MEDIA] Recap of our community accountability meeting on #FreeStateHealth

This week Ritshidze launched the 2nd edition of the Free State State of Health report, that found public healthcare users faced long waiting times and poor staff attitudes, among other challenges. The report was presented at a community meeting in Batho. Scroll through our multi-media round up from the meeting and find links to the report, the summary presentation, and a full video of the entire meeting.

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Second edition Ritshidze report pinpoints reasons people with HIV stop treatment in Free State clinics

Long waiting times are among eleven key issues outlined in the second edition of a new Ritshidze State of Health report. The report will be launched at a community meeting in Bloemfontein today. The report finds that while the province has marginally improved in certain indicators, it has worsened in many and too often Free State facilities are among the worst performing sites across all provinces monitored.

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About RITSHIDZE

“Ritshidze” — meaning “Saving Our Lives” in TshiVenda — has been developed by people living with HIV and activists to hold the South African government and aid agencies accountable to improve overall HIV and TB service delivery.

Partner organisations include the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), the National Association of People Living with HIV (NAPWA), Positive Action Campaign, Positive Women’s Network (PWN) and the South African Network of Religious Leaders Living with and affected by HIV/AIDS (SANERELA+)—in alliance with Health Global Access Project (Health GAP), the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), and Georgetown University’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law.

CLICK HERE to read more and see where we work.