South Africa enters World Aids Day this year at a pivotal moment. While the country has made significant strides in reducing new infections and improving access to treatment, HIV remains a major public health challenge. Millions of South Africans rely on the national HIV programme, placing sustained pressure on public clinics to provide prevention, testing and treatment services.
Within this landscape, medical aids play a critical supporting role through structured, long-term HIV care offered to members, which helps to ease the burden on public facilities while ensuring people living with HIV receive consistent, high-quality treatment.
Though often understated in national discussions, this support contributes to the same long-term goals as the national HIV response, which are early diagnosis, continuous treatment and viral suppression at scale.
‘The future of HIV care depends on consistency, not crisis response,’ says Dr Themba Hadebe, Clinical Executive at Bonitas Medical Fund. ‘Medical aids have a responsibility to make that consistency possible by supporting members with reliable access to treatment, monitoring and counselling.’
Adapting to a changing HIV care landscape
This form of support matters more as national policy shifts. South Africa’s HIV treatment approach now makes it easier for people living with HIV to access care and stay on treatment. For members, this means fewer clinic visits, more convenient ways to get medicine, and additional avenues for support – all designed to help them maintain long-term health and wellbeing.
‘Structured HIV programmes ensure that members benefit from regular health checks, emotional support and guidance from trained counsellors in addition to receiving the medicine they need,’ says Hadebe. ‘This helps them manage side effects, understand their treatment plans and address challenges early, reducing the risk of interruptions and supporting sustained health outcomes.’
Early detection remains a cornerstone of the national HIV response. Expanding access to self-testing and pharmacy-led services allows more people to know their status sooner, creating opportunities for immediate treatment and ongoing care. Consistent support ensures that individuals start treatment promptly, stay engaged, and achieve viral suppression – outcomes that are essential to limiting transmission and protecting public health.
‘Long-term success in HIV care depends on consistent support and follow-up at every stage, from early diagnosis to ongoing treatment and emotional guidance,’ says Hadebe. ‘When people have access to regular monitoring, counselling and timely interventions, it improves individual outcomes as well as strengthens the health system as a whole.’
Achieving South Africa’s 95‑95‑95 targets depends on well-coordinated, long-term systems. While public health facilities carry the bulk of the responsibility, structured programmes in the private sector play a vital supporting role.
‘World AIDS Day is a reminder that progress relies on continuity, and that prevention, testing and treatment must be sustained to be effective. Consistent, structured support strengthens the national response, helps reduce new infections, and improves the lives of people living with HIV across the country,’ concludes Hadebe.
For 2025 we have a renewed Female Health Programme:In collaboration with CareWorks, it’s accessible to all female members aged 18 and above, with an emphasis on preventative care and early detection of female-specific health issues. In addition, we have an enhanced Maternity Programme to support expecting mothers. This includes early identification of and weekly engagement for high-risk pregnancies, post-childbirth care and associated mental health follow-up calls for new mums, given the prevalence of pre and postnatal depression. Also, milestone reminders for children under 3 and cover for antenatal vitamins through savings, day-to-day benefits or the Benefit Booster
Bonitas Medical Fund
0860 002 108
View Website: www.bonitas.co.za
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