Our Work
HIV & Infectious Diseases
Strengthening every step in the HIV and TB response, from prevention to long-term care
Expert support at every stage of the response
Anova has worked at the heart of South Africa’s HIV and TB response for more than a decade. Our programmes span the full continuum of care, including HIV prevention, testing, treatment, long-term retention, re-engagement, and the management of advanced HIV disease. We provide services in Department of Health facilities and in communities, and are equally committed to TB integration, ensuring every person is screened for HIV and TB, diagnosed early, and supported through prevention and care.
In 2024, Anova supported more than 990,000 people on HIV treatment, which represents nearly a quarter of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) and on treatment in South Africa. Our goal is to partner with various stakeholders and support the country reach epidemic control by improving health outcomes at every stage of the HIV and TB cascade
What We Do
HIV Prevention
Anova supports the provision of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and access for those most at risk of HIV, including adolescent girls and young women, pregnant and breastfeeding women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people who use drugs.
From 2019 to 2024, we supported the rollout of HIV PrEP across multiple health districts in South Africa by training healthcare workers on national guidelines, delivering services through mobile clinics, conducting community-based demand creation, and strengthening supply chain and data systems in partnership with the Department of Health. Our initiatives led to over 166,000 clients accessing HIV PrEP in Anova supported districts. Our prevention approach is integrated and includes condom distribution, STI screening, and inclusive sexual reproductive health education in health facilities, schools, workplaces, and digital platforms.
HIV Testing and Linkage
We offer a range of HIV testing options tailored to people’s preferences. This includes health facility-based testing, mobile and workplace testing through our mobile clinics, and HIV self-screening (HIVSS). We have influenced National Policy on routine HIV screening for children using a screening tool, based on results from our paediatric HIV screening project in health facilities in Limpopo and Gauteng. Our teams prioritise immediate linkage to HIV/TB treatment for those diagnosed with HIV and/or TB. Clients testing HIV negative are linked to HIV PrEP services.
Treatment and Retention in care
In 2024, Anova supported more than 990,000 clients on HIV treatment. More than 70% of these clients were enrolled in differentiated service delivery models, enabling them to collect their chronic treatment every 2-3 months at fast lanes within their local clinics or at community medication pickup points such as private pharmacies. These models allow people to choose care options that fit their lives.
Advanced HIV Disease
For clients with advanced HIV disease, we train and mentor health care workers on early identification and structured clinical management of common opportunistic infections such as TB, cryptococcal meningitis, pneumocystis pneumonia, and oesophageal candidiasis. Nurses are trained to manage most cases, with escalation pathways to medical officers and telehealth for complex presentations.
TB and HIV Integration
TB remains the leading cause of death among men in South Africa and is closely linked with HIV. Anova supports the integration of TB and HIV services across health facilities and community outreach programmes to ensure comprehensive services are provided to clients. This includes HIV testing for all TB clients, routine TB screening for people living with HIV, HIV and TB preventive therapy, and rapid HIV/TB treatment initiation for co-infected individuals. We work with health care workers in TB and HIV treatment centres to ensure coordinated referral and follow-up, especially in high-burden communities.
Spotlight
Men's Health Programme
Men are often under-represented in HIV services. Anova’s approach addresses this through outreach, peer-led support, and clinical adaptations that respond to the needs of men.
Our teams provide services in taxi ranks, workplaces, taverns, and sports fields. These include HIV testing, screening for STIs, prostate health screening, and access to treatment in spaces that feel safe and welcoming. A key component is the Coach Mpilo programme, which trains men who are living well with HIV to support others. These peer coaches help men overcome stigma, navigate the health system, and stay in care.
Welcome Back Campaign
Welcome Back was a national re-engagement campaign focused on making it easier for people living with HIV but not on treatment to return to care. After mapping communities to understand why people had disengaged from HIV care, we created messaging that was respectful, stigma-free, and visible on billboards, taxi signage, and available on radio.
At the same time, we worked with clinics and trained health care workers in welcoming, non-judgmental re-engagement practices. Thousands of clients returned to care, not because they were forced, but because they felt invited. The campaign has since been recognised as a model of rights-based HIV care and has helped inform national retention in care strategies.
