In a country grappling with the world’s largest HIV epidemic, access to reliable testing and treatment is more critical than ever. At the heart of this fight is the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), where science, research, and compassion converge to tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis head-on.

Dr Ramokone Maphoto, a Senior Pathologist in Virology at SMU and the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) believes the 2024 World AIDS Day theme—“The Rights Path: My Health, My Right”—perfectly reflects her department’s mission.

 

“Access to healthcare is a fundamental right. At SMU, we ensure HIV testing is affordable, accurate, and accessible, especially for underserved communities,” Maphoto explains.

 

Strategically located to serve vulnerable populations, SMU’s Virology Department operates as a hub for HIV testing and treatment monitoring. Their work extends beyond lab walls to empower clinics, district hospitals, and regional facilities. As HIV continues to affect millions, SMU’s role in strengthening South Africa’s health infrastructure cannot be overstated.

 

In South Africa, reaching the United Nations’ 95-95-95 goals—where 95% of people know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95% achieve viral suppression—remains a monumental task. Maphoto points out that while strides have been made, challenges persist.

 

“To close these gaps, we’ve automated advanced HIV testing technologies to increase capacity. Our lab operates 24/7 to meet demand, ensuring timely results,” she shares. This precision is crucial: timely viral load monitoring allows clinicians to detect treatment failures early, optimising patient care and reducing transmission.

 

Driving Innovation Through Research

At SMU, cutting-edge research drives the fight against HIV. Dedicated research units focused on HIV and Hepatitis have produced studies that influence national prevention and treatment strategies. “Our research doesn’t just sit on shelves; it’s shaping healthcare policies and clinical practices,” says Maphoto.

 

The department’s work also invests in South Africa’s future healthcare workforce. By training registrars, honours, and master’s students, SMU ensures a steady pipeline of skilled virologists—professionals who will strengthen the country’s response to HIV for years to come.

 

Beyond science, SMU is tackling a deeper battle: the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Through community outreach programmes and collaborations with other university departments, Maphoto and her team are dismantling misinformation and fear.

 

“Stigma keeps people from accessing lifesaving services. Education is key,” she stresses. SMU is taking this mission directly to its students, staff, and the surrounding community, using campus media and health services to share accurate, up-to-date information about HIV prevention and treatment.

 

As World AIDS Day reminds us of the work still ahead, Maphoto issues a challenge to all South Africans: “We’ve come a long way, but no one can afford to be complacent. Let us respect, support, and care for those living with HIV/AIDS. Every individual has a role to play.”

 

For SMU, that role extends beyond its campus walls. By delivering world-class diagnostics, advancing research, and shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders, the university is proving that health equity is not just a goal—it’s a responsibility.

 

In a nation striving for hope and healing, SMU’s contributions are more than a drop in the ocean. They are ripples of change, strengthening South Africa’s fight against HIV/AIDS and ensuring that no one is left behind.

By Tshimangadzo Mphaphuli