SA HIV Clinicians Society President Inspires Final-Year Nursing Students

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The president of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Conference (SAHCS) Dr Ndiviwe Mphothulo, paid a special visit to the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) final-year Nursing students, where he presented an update on HIV management.

Mphothulo highlighted key achievements in the global HIV response, particularly the concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U), which he described as an exciting development and a major step towards achieving the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 testing, treatment, and viral suppression targets. He emphasised to students the unique challenges faced by nurses, who care for patients presenting with diverse socio-economic and cultural factors that require holistic, multidisciplinary approaches.

UKZN’s Nursing lecturer and second-year co-ordinator, Dr Silingene Ngcobo, recently became the first professional nurse to serve as a co-chair in SAHCS’s history. She said Mphothulo’s visit was particularly valuable as it brought industry experience from someone who has worked across all levels of healthcare in South Africa, in both rural and urban settings. He has also occupied various leadership roles and has collaborated with nurses pioneering HIV and TB management for more than 20 years.

Ngcobo noted that nurse-led HIV programmes formed the cornerstone of South Africa’s HIV response, particularly in primary healthcare and community settings. “Through the implementation of Nurse-Initiated and Managed Antiretroviral Therapy (NIMART), nurses are empowered to provide comprehensive services, including HIV testing, antiretroviral initiation and monitoring, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and integration of HIV and tuberculosis care,” she said.

She added that evidence shows outcomes of nurse-led ART, such as viral suppression and retention in care, are comparable to physician-led models, significantly expanding access to treatment in underserved communities. Despite challenges such as high patient loads, limited resources, and persistent stigma, these programmes exemplify successful task-shifting and continue to advance equitable, people-centred HIV care.

Final-year students are being prepared to enter the profession skilled, emotionally and mentally prepared to tackle the country’s HIV prevalence and overall disease burden. Dr Makhosi Dube, thanked Mputhulo for taking timeout to engage with the soon-to-be qualified professional nurses under her mentorship.

Words and photograph: Lunga Memela