Paediatric - Adolescent Treatment Africa

19/06/2026

Starting HIV treatment is not enough if children and young people are not supported to keep coming back, taking their treatment, and staying connected to care. Care cannot stop at the clinic. Children and young people need services that understand what happens at home, in communities, and in the everyday realities that shape whether they can stay on treatment. This advocacy brief spotlights some of the gaps highlighted by young people, including stigma, PrEP confusion, postnatal care gaps, and weak clinic–community linkages.
Read more here:

HIVE Advocacy Brief: Strengthening Retention in HIV Prevention and Care Young people are at the centre of the HIV response and bring lived experience of the barriers and gaps in care: retention in HIV prevention and care is the weak point in the HIV cascade, and business as usual is

18/06/2026

: Children, adolescents, youth and underserved communities thrive when the people who care for them are actively involved in their health journey.

When we shift from focusing only on mothers to embracing family-centred care, we build stronger support at home and in the clinic. Involving fathers and male caregivers in clinic visits, HIV testing, prevention and treatment discussions can strengthen long-term health for the whole family.

Health systems can help make this shift by creating entry points that welcome and include the whole family.

Take action: How does your facility currently involve male partners in routine maternal and child health visits? Comment below and share what is working.

16/06/2026

Nkosizile’s story reminds us that looking healthy is not the whole story. After missing clinic appointments for more than a year, Nkosizile was supported back into care by peer supporters, healthcare providers and her community.
Children living with HIV need more than clinic appointments. They need health systems that can reach them where they are, understand the realities their families face, and support them to stay connected to lifelong treatment and care.
This , we are reminded that care cannot stop at the clinic door. Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, supported and connected to care.
We call on governments and health systems to formally recognise and fund clinic-community linkages as a core part of HIV responses.

15/06/2026

The deadline to submit abstract has past but you can still register for the 10th International Workshop on Adolescence, SRHR & HIV 2026. Be part of the conversations shaping the future of adolescent HIV and SRHR.

🔗 Register now: https://academicmedicaleducation.com/programs/10th-international-workshop-on-adolescence-srhr-and-hiv-2026


Academic Medical Education

15/06/2026

: Across HIV, maternal and child health services, mothers are too often treated as the only primary point of care. But preventing vertical transmission and protecting family wellbeing should never rest on mothers alone.

Fathers and male caregivers are not temporary visitors in family health — they are core partners. Yet many clinical systems still track mothers while leaving fathers and male caregivers out of routine care conversations.
True health equity means reshaping our clinical frameworks to recognise the whole family unit as part of prevention, treatment and care.

Take action: How does your facility currently involve male partners in routine maternal and child health visits? Comment below and share what is working.

14/06/2026

Healthcare providers see firsthand how punitive approaches can drive people away from the services they need, undermine trust, disrupt families, and create barriers to health and wellbeing.

On Day, we stand for people-centred care that protects dignity, promotes health, and ensures everyone can access support without fear of stigma, discrimination, or punishment.

11/06/2026

On behalf of PATA, we send our heartfelt condolences to everyone at Small Projects Foundation, as well as Dr Paul’s colleagues, friends and family.

Paul was a co-founder of PATA, and his contributions have left the HIV and community health sector in a much better place. His legacy will continue to make a significant contribution to the development and health sectors.

A humble, gentle giant who changed so many lives. Hamba kahle, Mkhonto.

Dear Staff, Partners, and Friends of SPF,

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Leader, CEO, and Founder, Dr Paul Cromhout.

Dr Cromhout dedicated nearly four decades of his life to community development, healthcare transformation, and social entrepreneurship across South Africa. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the global development sector and within the communities he so passionately served

Since establishing the Small Projects Foundation in January 1988, Dr Cromhout was the driving force behind our mission. For 38 years, he worked tirelessly to champion HIV/AIDS prevention, maternal health, and early childhood development. His recent recognition with the Social Entrepreneur Award by the Border-Kei Chamber of Business stands as a testament to his lifelong commitment to driving meaningful change.

Dr Cromhout’s legacy is built on compassion, innovation, and an unwavering belief in human dignity. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.

To honour Dr Cromhout’s legacy, the Small Projects Foundation team remains fully committed to continuing our critical field operations and community programmes without disruption. Effective immediately, Mrs Candice Burmeister will oversee all organizational operations.

Details regarding memorial services and where to send condolences will be shared as soon as they are finalised by the family.

With shared grief and deepest respect,
SPF Management Team

10/06/2026

Prevention choice is becoming real at facility level in South Africa

At OR Tambo Community Health Centre in JHB Health District, joined the facility-level launch of Lenacapavir, supporting health education on HIV prevention and the role of long-acting PrEP as part of a wider package of prevention options.

Through , PATA continues to support pregnant and breastfeeding women to access prevention that fits their lives helping protect their health and reduce the risk of vertical transmission.

National Department of Health (South Africa)

10/06/2026

The programme for the 18th International Workshop on Pediatrics & HIV 2026 highlights critical conversations shaping the future of paediatric and adolescent HIV care — from prevention of vertical transmission and maternal health to adolescent treatment, funding realities, and long-acting innovations.

As a proud endorser, looks forward to engaging with the evidence, frontline experiences, and global dialogue that continue to drive better outcomes for children, adolescents, young people and caregivers.

📅 24–25 July 2026
📍 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
🔗 View the programme: https://academicmedicaleducation.com/programs/18th-international-workshop-on-pediatrics-and-hiv-2026/program

09/06/2026

Today, was at Stretford Clinic, one of the HIVE-supported facilities in the JHB Health District South Africa, to support the facility-level launch of Lenacapavir.

We saw an incredible turnout, reflecting strong community interest and excitement about this new long-acting injectable PrEP option. The launch marks an important step towards expanding HIV prevention choices.