A new ARV dispensing model is set to alleviate pressure on clinics and provide patients with more freedom.
- 6MMD (six-month multi-month dispensing) allows stable HIV patients to collect their medication only twice a year, cutting down on clinic visits.
- Western Cape clinics began 6MMD last year, easing pressure on staff and improving retention in care through ARV clubs for stable patients.
- ARV clubs help decongest clinics by grouping stable patients and streamlining ARV collections.
- The national rollout of 6MMD is scheduled to begin in August, expanding the model to other provinces.
- A national patient recording system is also needed, says clinic coordinator Nonhle Plaatjie, to track where people collect their ARVs from across provinces.
- Health workers in the Western Cape can’t always verify if patients collect medication in different provinces when they travel, leading to confusion about treatment continuity.
- Policy experts urge faster action: with more than 6-million people on ARVs, 6MMD could help the health system cope with a high number of patients, and lessen the blow of US funding cuts.
- “I can plan my life now,” says Neliswa Nkwali, who has lived with HIV for 25 years. She says 6MMD has freed her from clinic queues.
This story was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Sign up for the newsletter.
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