In February 2000 Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and the Western Cape Department of Health initiated a comprehensive service for persons infected with HIV in Khayelitsha.
The aim of this project was to show the effectiveness, feasibility and acceptability of treating persons infected with HIV, including the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART), in a primary care setting.
By the end of 2004, the Khayelitsha programme had been integrated into the Provincial antiretroviral (ARV) roll-out plan following the announcement of a comprehensive National Treatment and Prevention Plan (approved on November 19th 2003).
he national plan aims to provide universal coverage of ARV treatment in South Africa within five years. The three existing HIV clinics initially opened by MSF are now accredited as government sites. The provincial ARV medicines’ depot has taken over the supply of ARV medicines as of the end of 2004. This report describes service developments and clinical outcomes since inception until the end of 2004.