On 16 October 2025, Ritshidze will launch a detailed report into the state of the public healthcare system in the Eastern Cape that reveals the challenges arising in our clinics following the PEPFAR disruptions earlier in the year. Overall long waiting times continue to frustrate public healthcare users fueled by staff shortages and filing systems in disarray. While the province had the most reports of people getting a 3 month supply of ARVs, however the fewest reports of people using external pick-up points – two solutions to make ARV collection easier and decongest busy clinics. Members of key populations continue to be treated poorly, with many refused access to clinics. People without IDs and transfer letters also reported being denied services.
The full press release is here – and a deep dive on external pick-up points here.
This is the fifth edition of the annual Eastern Cape State of Health report. Prior to the end of January 2025, Ritshidze data was collected across sites in four PEPFAR priority districts in the Eastern Cape: Alfred Nzo, Buffalo City, Chris Hani, and OR Tambo. Following cuts in funding, Ritshidze monitoring has continued in Buffalo City and OR Tambo only. PEPFAR implementing partners are still active in both districts. Ritshidze data will be able to document any changes in the quality of service provision following the PEPFAR disruptions.
Facility level data was collected between April 2025 and June 2025 at 40 public health facilities in two districts: Buffalo City (20 sites), and OR Tambo (20 sites). Surveys were carried out with 40 Facility Managers, 2,107 public healthcare users and 1,150 people living with HIV in the Patient survey, and 2,108 public healthcare users in the Patient Exit survey.
Key Population service data was collected in the community between July 2024 and September 2024 in 4 districts in the Eastern Cape: Amathole, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, and OR Tambo. A total of 3,149 surveys were carried out in the province (including 2,196 people using public health facilities). This combined 542 gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), 834 people who use drugs, 605 sex workers, and 215 trans people.
#ECHealth #KeyPopsHealth
