Tutu Tester Mobile Unit
The Tutu Tester, our mobile testing unit, was launched in May 2008 through the generosity of the Metropolitan Health Group and Qualsa. Many South Africans still fear being stigmatised and are reticent to come forward to test, or would like to test but don’t want to spend hours waiting in queues at health care facilities.
Click here to see an impression of our work.
Clients are offered a prevention wellness package that includes screening for diabetes, hypertension and obesity as well as HIV. The unit also offers TB testing and CD4 counts to all those that test positive for HIV. The CD4 result can be plotted on our ‘Road to HIV Health’ card, to assist nurses and HIV positive clients in monitoring their health.
Our biometric system, introduced in partnership with the Broccoli Project, facilitates confidentiality by capturing clients’ fingerprints electronically along with their medical history. The information is stored on a secure, confidential website. This comprehensive package is provided in a friendly, non-threatening environment in easily accessible venues such as shopping centres or in safe areas along the roadside. The mobile unit can be taken to community halls, sporting events, or any place where people gather.
We have continued to partner with other organisations such as the Men at the side of the Road, SWEAT, TSIBA, Medical Knowledge Institute in Khayelitsha, and Community Media Trust. A cross-sectional community based HIV and CD4 count survey was undertaken in Masiphumelele and over 1,100 individuals were screened and tested.
Operational costs are covered by funding through the ANOVA Health Institute from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and PEPFAR as well as the Agence Française de Développement.
Since its inception, a small team of dedicated staff have provided comprehensive and efficient care to more than 24,500 people in many underserviced communities in the greater Cape Town area.
The Tutu Treater is now complemented by the TUTU TRAILER. This can be towed behind the Tutu Tester and is equipped to provide both cervical screening and TB testing.
Special Mention
The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation was the winner of the Mail and Guardian Investing in LifeAwards in 2010, with the Tutu Tester forming a large component of this proposal.
NIH Funding was granted for the Tutu Tester team to do a linkage to care and costeffectiveness study with Ken Freedberg at Harvard Medical School.
The proceeds (€ 10000) of the premiere of the film “Life, above all” (directed by Oliver Schmitz) screened in France on World AIDS day 2010 were donated to the Tutu Tester by the film distributor, ARP selection. Pictures of the Tutu Tester thus appeared in the subways and bus stops in Paris. Prof Linda-Gail Bekker was present at the World AIDS Day event in Paris.
Projectleader: Anna van Esch
