Our Work
Tailored Care for Key Populations
Delivering inclusive, evidence-based care that leaves no one behind
Grounded in Equity, Built on Innovation
Since its founding, Anova has been at the forefront of South Africa’s efforts to provide inclusive, respectful, and high-impact care for key populations (KPs) — including men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people, people who use drugs (PWUD), and sex workers.
Our Health4Men programme was the continent’s first comprehensive MSM health initiative. It set the benchmark for public sector service delivery, clinical training, and systems transformation. Over time, we expanded this model to include Centres of Excellence, a nationwide provider training curriculum, and dedicated MSM-friendly clinical spaces.
We continue to partner with public, private, and community-based systems to create services that meet KPs where they are — not only physically, but socially and emotionally too.
What We Do
Tailored Clinical Services & Peer-Led Outreach
We work across the full HIV and TB continuum of care, adapting services to suit the specific needs of each population:
- Dedicated, stigma-free clinical spaces for Men who have Sex with Men and Transgender clients
- Integrated PrEP, STI screening, and cancer screening (including anal, breast, and prostate)
- Integrated harm reduction for People Who Use Drugs, including safer injecting, HIV and Hepatitis C screening, and linkage to opioid substitution therapy (OST)
- Community-based peer outreach and client navigation
Our JabSmart programme, the country’s largest Global Fund–supported initiative for People Who Use Drugs, serves over 10,000 people each year in Johannesburg. It integrates harm reduction, health services, psychosocial support, and vocational reintegration.
Community-Led Health Promotion
We’ve adapted and scaled the globally recognised Mpowerment model through initiatives like Boithato, Seskhona, GBTI-Connexions, and I-Heart-Isidayi. These grassroots programmes provide leadership opportunities, community mobilization, and safer spaces for engagement — helping Key Populations clients not just survive but thrive.
Digital Engagement & Private Sector Access
Anova’s flagship media campaign, We The Brave, used sex-positive, stigma-busting messaging across digital, print, and clinic platforms to reach MSM with accurate health information. Through Yellow Dot Doctor, we’ve also trained over 300 private clinicians and accredited dozens of private facilities to provide safe, affirming services to LGBTQ+ clients.
Research & Policy Impact
Anova combines service delivery with real-time learning and strategic research — shaping not only programmes, but national policy. Highlights include:
- HIV self-testing and peer navigation studies with UCSF
- Prostate cancer self-testing trials in collaboration with Stanford and ASU
- Project Vuselela (NIH, with ASU & UCLA): Evaluating how family support influences Antiretroviral Therapy and Opioid Substitution Therapy adherence among People Who Use Drugs
- The Hep3CP study (Unitaid/PSI): Testing long-acting Opioid Substitution Therapy and low dead space syringes to reduce viral hepatitis, with a focus on Hepatitis C prevention and treatment for People Who Use Drugs
We’ve also mentored other health organizations across South Africa through initiatives like Me1st, providing Standard Operating Procedures, job aids, and training that continue to shape Key Populations programming today.
Spotlight: Our Flagship Key Populations Initiatives
Health4Men
Pioneering MSM health programme offering full-spectrum clinical services, provider training, and Centres of Excellence in inclusive care.
Yellow Dot Doctor
A national directory of private providers trained to deliver safe, affirming care to LGBTQ+ clients.
We The Brave
health messages across digital, clinic, and community platforms.
JabSmart
South Africa’s largest harm reduction programme for people who use drugs, integrating health services, psychosocial care, and community-led outreach.
Me1st
A mentorship-based initiative extending MSM- and trans-friendly care to new districts through implementer capacity-building and systems support.