Training

As the public sector roll-out of antiretroviral treatment for HIV has accelerated, there has been a rapidly increasing demand for training in the management of HIV and AIDS. In response to this, the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation established a training unit in January 2004 and has become actively engaged in the training and equipping of health care professionals, lay counsellors and educators to meet the challenges of HIV care and prevention.

The Desmond Tutu HIV foundation is also able to offer training programmes structured according to needs which can either be didactic courses or ongoing mentorship programmes. These courses are conducted by the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre staff, who have experience both in clinical trials and community-based antiretroviral treatment programmes in the Western Cape.

Various members of the team have played instrumental roles in Provincial and National HIV care and treatment policy over many years and much of the National and Provincial Guidelines is based on experiences and research related to the joint DTHF/Department of Health ARV clinic in Gugulethu. As well as providing set courses on HIV care and treatment, the training unit is happy to discuss tailored programmes for specific needs, and can provide quotes on request.